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The  Indian  Stream  Republic    ^^^54 


AND 

Luther  Parker 


BY 


GRANT   SHOWERMAN,  Ph.D. 

Professor  in  the  University  of  Wisconsin 


concord,  n.  h. 

New  Hampshire  Historical  Society 

1915 


V-" 


COLLECTIONS 

OF  THE 

New  Hampshire  Historical 
Society 


VOLUME   ELEVEN 


Edited  bt 

OTIS  GRANT  HAMMOND.  M.A. 

Superintendent  of  the  Society 


concord,  n.  h. 
New  Hampshibe  Historical  Society 
1915 


The  greater  number  of  the  settlers  who  occupied  the 
lands  of  southeastern  Wisconsin  during  the  years  im- 
mediately preceding  the  sale  of  1839  were  of  New  York 
and  New  England  origin.  The  biography  of  one  of 
them,  Luther  Parker,  may  lay  claim  to  a  special  inter- 
est as  illustrating  the  conditions  of  pioneer  life,  not 
only  in  Wisconsin  but  also  in  New  Hampshire,  where, 
before  his  migration  to  the  West  and  participation  in 
the  building  of  the  new  commonwealth,  he  was  actively 
concerned  in  one  of  the  most  interesting  experiments 
in  the  history  of  American  democracy,  as  well  as  in  a 
border  trouble  which  at  one  time  threatened  to  result 
in  complications  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain. 


CONTENTS 


PART  ONE 

Page 

The  Indian  Stbeam  Repubuc 3-128 

Chapter    1.     Ancestry   and   Early   Years   of   Luther 

Parker 3 

Chapter    2.    Indian  Stream 8 

Chapter    3.     The  Settling  of  Indian  Stream 21 

Chapter    4.    Indian   Stream    Proprietary   Administra- 
tion   30 

Chapter    5.     The  Indian  Stream  Democracy 36 

Chapter    6.     The  Parkers  at  Indian  Stream 40 

Chapter    7.    Indian  Stream  Territory,  U.  S.  A 48 

Chapter    8.    The  Indian  Stream  Constitution 57 

Chapter     9.     The  Assembly  of  1832 68 

Chapter  10.    The  Assembly  of  1833 75 

Chapter  11.    The  Assembly  of  1834 79 

Chapter  12.    The  Assembly  of  1835 88 

Chapter  13.     Rival  Claims  to  Indian  Stream 93 

Chapter  14,     The  Indian  Stream  War 102 

Chapter  15.     The  Wisconsin  Pioneer 112 

Chapter  16.    The  Territorial  Legislature  of  1846  ...  118 

Chapter  17.    The  Last  Years 125 

PART  TWO 

Ellen  Parker's  Journal 130-162 

PART  THREE 

Report  of  the  Indian  Stream  Commissioners,  1836 ....  163-250 

Joint  Resolution  of  the  New  Haaipshire  Legislature  165 

Report  of  the  Commissioners 167 

Letters:  Hon.  Isaac  Hill  to  Hon.  John   Forsyth 176 

Hon.  Isaac  Hill  to  Hon.  John  Forsyth 177 

Hon.  John  Forsyth  to  Hon.  Isaac  Hill 177 

Hon.  John  Forsyth  to  Gov.  Badger 178 

Lord  Gosford  to  Mr.  Bankhead 179 


VI  CONTENTS 

Page 

Report  of  Canadian  Commissioners 183 

Letters:  Hon.  William  Badger  to  John  P.  Hale 188 

E.  H.  Mahurin  to  Gen.  Joseph  Low 188 

Deposition  of  Ephraim  H.  Mahtjrin 190 

Ira  Young 193 

James  M.  Hilliard 196 

John  Hughes 198 

Rurus  Brockway 199 

Luther  Fuller 202 

Luther  Fuller 203 

Jesse  Carr 205 

Ebenezer  Fletcher '.  206 

Gideon  Tirrell 207 

David  Kent 209 

Samuel  Danforth 210 

John  Harriman 210 

Nathaniel  Perkins 213 

Horace  Loomis 215 

Francis  Wilson 217 

Hezekiah  Parsons 217 

Ira  Young 218 

William  M.  Smith 220 

Milton  Harvey 223 

Richard  I.  Blanchard 224 

Miles  Hurlburt 226 

Ephraim  C.  Aldrich 231 

James  M.  Hilliard 233 

Josiah  Parmelee 235 

James  Mooney 236 

James  M.  Jewett 239 

Hiram  A.  Fletcher 240 

Archelaus  Cummings,  Jr 244 

Joseph  Wiswell 246 

Ephraim  H.  Mahurin 248 

Benjamin  Applebee 250 


PART  ONE 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM    REPUBLIC    AND 
LUTHER  PARKER 


THE  INDIAN  STREAM  REPUBLIC 

AND 

LUTHER  PARKER 

New  Hampshire  and  Wisconsin  Pioneer 


CHAPTER  1 

Ancestry  and  Early  Years 

Luther  Parker,  the  first  white  man  to  become  per- 
manently domiciled  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
township  of  Muskego,  Waukesha  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, was  born  at  Temple,  Hillsborough  county,  New 
Hampshire,  near  the  Massachusetts  line,  on  December 
18,  1800,  of  Joshua  Parker  and  Polly  Taylor  Parker, 
natives  of  Redding,  Massachusetts,  about  ten  miles 
north  of  Boston,  and  now  called  Wakefield.  He  was 
one  of  five  brothers. 

The  Luther  Parker  ancestry  in  America  begins  with 
Thomas  Parker,  born  in  England  in  1609,  who  sailed 
from  London  on  March  11,  1635,  in  the  expedition  of 
the  ships  Suzan  and  Ellin,  fitted  out  by  Sir  Richard 
Saltonstall,  and  landed  at  Lynn,  Massachusetts.  The 
Lynn  annals  record  his  coming:  "1635.  Came  this 
year,  Thomas  Parker,  a  farmer,  who  embarked  at 
London,  March  11,   1635.  "i 

Thomas  Parker  resided  for  several  years  at  Lynn, 
the  owner  of  forty  acres  of  land,  and  in  1639  moved  to 
Lynn  Village,  later  called  Redding  (1644),  still  later 
South  Redding  (1812),  and  finally  Wakefield  (1868). 
Here  he  became  deacon  of  the  Redding  church,  which 
was  built  about  1644,  its  first  minister  being  ordained 


4  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

November  5,  1645,  was  selectman  in  1661  and  for  some 
time  afterward,  and  died  on  August  12,  1683,  possessed 
of  an  extensive  landed  property.  His  wife  Amy,  to 
whom  he  was  united  about  Christmas  of  1635,  died  on 
January  15,  1690.  The  gravestone  of  Thomas  Parker 
is  still  to  be  seen  in  the  lower  end  of  the  old  cemetery 
at  Wakefield,  where  it  was  placed,  with  many  others 
of  its  time,  after  their  discovery  during  an  excavation  in 
1834.  It  is  of  a  hard,  slate-colored  material,  with 
inscription  unimpaired  and  plainly  legible.^ 

The  sons  and  daughters  of  Thomas  and  Amy  Parker 
were  ten:  Thomas  (Lynn,  1636-July  17,  1699);  Han- 
aniah  (Lynn,  1638-March  10,  1724),  who  married  Eliz- 
abeth Browne  of  Redding  on  September  30,  1663,  and 
was  ancestor  of  Captain  John  Parker  of  Lexington  and 
the  Reverend  Theodore  Parker;  John  (1)  (Redding, 
1640-1698),  a  sergeant,  ancestor  of  Luther  Parker; 
Joseph  (1642-1644);  Joseph  (1645-1646);  Mary  (De- 
cember 12,  1647-1705),  who  married  Samuel  Dodge 
and  was  the  mother  of  eleven  children ;  Martha  (March 
14,  1649-1651);  Nathaniel  (May  16,  1651),  who  mar- 
ried Bethia  Polly  September  24,  1677,  and  had  thirteen 
children;  Sarah  (September  30,  1653-October  26,  1656); 
Jonathan  (May  18,  1656-June  10,  1680),  who  served 
in  the  Indian  wars;  Sarah  (May  23,  1658).  The  cus- 
tom of  giving  a  succeeding  son  or  daughter  the  name 
of  a  deceased  child  may  be  noted  here.^ 

The  sons  and  daughters  of  John  Parker  (l)  were  four- 
teen, nine  by  his  union  with  Hannah  Kendall  (1650- 
August  8,  1689),  to  whom  he  was  married  on  Novem- 
ber 13,  1667,  and  five  by  a  second  union:  John  (2) 
(December  16,  1668- January  11,  1740),  ancestor  of 
Luther;  Thomas  (1670-1689);  Hannah  (1672-1689); 
Rebecca  (1675-1680);  Kendall  (1677);  Abigail  (1679- 
before  1688);  Jonathan   (1681);  David  (1686);  Abigail 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  5 

(1688);  Hananiah  (1691);  Rebecca  (1693);  Thomas 
(1695) ;  Elizabeth  (1698) ;  Mary.  John  Parker  (l)  died 
in  1698/ 

The  sons  and  daughters  of  John  Parker  (2)  and  EHza- 
beth  Goodwin  (1673-May  11,  1731)  were  twelve: 
Elizabeth  (1695-1703);  John  (1697-before  1701);  Abi- 
gail (1699);  John  (1701);  Benjamin  (April  9,  1703), 
great-grandfather  of  Luther;  Elizabeth  (1704-before 
1706);  Ehzabeth  (1706);  Lillie;  Joseph  (1707-before 
1711);  Mary  (1710);  Joseph  (1711);  Thomas  (1716), 
who  moved  to  Bennington.  John  Parker  (2)  died  on 
January  11,   1740. 

The  sons  and  daughters  of  Benjamin  Parker  were 
eleven,  eight  by  his  marriage  with  Sarah  Foster 
(October  16,  1701-1741,  married  in  1726),  and  three 
by  a  second  marriage:  Benjamin  (1727);  Sarah  (1728); 
Phoebe  (1730);  Elizabeth  (1731);  Reuben  (1732); 
William  (1735);  Lydia  (1736);  Asa  (May  24,  1740- 
August  23,  1809),  grandfather  of  Luther;  Ehsha  (1749); 
Elisha;  Simeon  (1752).  Asa  Parker,  who  lived  at 
Redding,  was  active  in  the  events  of  April  19,  1775, 
the  day  that  Captain  John  Parker  of  Lexington  said: 
"Don't  fire  unless  fired  upon;  but  if  they  want  a  war, 
let  it  begin  here!"  Their  great-grandfathers  were 
identical.  Deacon  Thomas  Parker,  of  Redding. 

The  sons  and  daughters  of  Asa  Parker  and  Hephzibah 
Nichols  (married  1762;  Asa  died  August  18,  1831)  were 
ten:  Hephzibah  (April  7,  1767),  who  married  Jonathan 
Temple;  Elizabeth  (August  25,  1769),  who  married 
Simeon  Batchelder;  Asa  (February  20,  1770),  who 
married  Emma  Eames;  Rebecca  (April  18,  1772), 
who  married  John  Harnden;  Joshua  (May  15,  1774- 
June,  1855),  father  of  Luther;  Loa  (April  29,  1777); 
Lucy  (November  2,  1779);  Loa  (April  8,  1782),  who 
married  Anna  Bancroft;  Levi   (April  30,   1784),   who 


6  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

married  Polly  Nichols  in  1805;  Lucinda  (July  17,  1786), 
who  married  Samuel  Pratt. 

Joshua  Parker  and  Polly  Taylor  (born  November 
11,  1774)  were  married  in  Redding  on  November  13, 
1796,  by  Peter  Sanborn.  Their  sons  were  five:  Joshua 
(February  16,  1798-July,  1878),  who  enlisted  in  the 
War  of  1812;  Luther  (December  18,  1800-June  15, 
1853),  the  subject  of  this  biography;  Ebenezer  (October 
19,  1804-February  3,  1805);  Edwin  (June  30,  1807- 
July  7,  1830);  Asa  (September  17,  1810-May  22,  1895). 
Between  February  16,  1798,  the  date  of  Joshua's  birth, 
and  December  18,  when  Luther  was  born,  the  Parker 
family  moved  from  Redding,  Massachusetts,  to  Temple, 
New  Hampshire.  Joshua  Parker's  death  occurred  at 
Temple  in  June,  1855,  and  that  of  his  wife  in  September, 
1856. 

Luther  Parker  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  school  at  Temple.  Other  than  that  there  is 
no  information  regarding  his  boyhood. 

About  the  year  1816  he  went  to  Stoneham,  Massa- 
chusetts, near  his  father's  former  home,  and  learned  the 
shoemaker's  trade,  being  apprenticed  in  one  of  the 
numerous  shops  of  that  time,  when  nearly  every 
farmer  kept  a  shop  where  he  spent  the  spare  hours  of 
the  winter  months  and  other  periods  of  farm  inactivity. 
Not  content  with  the  prospect  of  following  this  occu- 
pation through  life,  he  returned  to  Temple  and  at- 
tended the  academy  at  New  Ipswich,  not  far  distant. 
On  the  completion  of  his  studies  there  he  taught  dis- 
trict school  in  the  neighborhood  of  Albany,  New  York.^ 

In  1825  and  1826  Luther  Parker  taught  school  at 
Stratford,  New  Hampshire,  somewhat  south  of  Cole- 
brook,  Coos  county,  on  the  Connecticut  river,  nearly 
opposite  and  not  far  from  Brunswick,  Vermont.  Here 
he  met  Alletta  French,  one  of  the  ten  children  of 
Thomas  Giles  French  of  Brunswick.     She  was  born  on 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  7 

June  11,  1803,  and  had  lived  since  her  eighth  or  tenth 
year  with  the  family  of  Squire  Baldwin  in  Stratford, 
and  was  a  pupil  in  the  Stratford  school  when  Luther 
Parker  became  its  master.^ 

Luther  Parker  and  Alletta  French  were  married  at 
Stratford  on  the  18th  of  February,  1827,  and  in  the 
same  year,  probably  soon  after  their  union,  settled  on 
land  in  what  was  then  usually  known  as  the  Indian 
Stream  country.  Here  they  remained  until  the  spring 
of  1836. 

NOTES 

1  Genealogical  and  Biographical  Notes  of  John  Parker  of  Lexing- 
ton and  his  Descendants,  showing  his  earlier  ancestry  in  America 
from  Dea.  Thomas  Parker,  of  Reading,  Massachusetts,  from  1635 
to  1893.  By  Theodore  Parker,  a  descendant  in  the  9th  generation 
from  Deacon  Thomas  Parker.  Worcester,  Mass.  Press  of  Charles 
Hamilton.     1893.     Pp.    21-22. 

2  Ibid.,  pp.  22-29. 

3  Ibid.,  29-30.  TNTiere  a  single  date  occurs,  the  date  of  death 
is  unknown. 

*  For  most  of  the  genealogical  detail  from  this  point  to  the  con- 
clusion of  the  chapter  I  am  indebted  to  Lincoln  H.  Parker,  of  Duluth, 
Minn.,  grandson  of  Luther  Parker.  His  sources  were  family  notes 
collected  by  his  father  and  grandfather,  compared  with  the  above 
book  on  John  Parker  of  Lexington,  and  Lilley  Eaton's  Genealog- 
ical History  of  the  Town  of  Reading,  Mass. 

^  The  details  of  Luther  Parker's  life  have  been  in  great  part  sup- 
plied me  by  his  son,  Hon.  Charles  D.  Parker  of  River  Falls,  Wis- 
consin, who  was  born  at  Indian  Stream  December  27,  1827,  and 
lived  there  until  Ins  ninth  year. 

*  The  French  genealog3%  as  compiled  by  Mattie  French  of 
Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  and  accepted  by  the  D.  A.  R.,  1812,  and 
Patriots  and  Founders,  shows  Alletta  French's  descent  as  follows: 
John  French  (1),  of  Essex  County,  England,  settled  in  Dorchester, 
Mass.,  in  1630,  removed  to  Braintree  in  or  after  1643,  died  Aug.  6, 
1699;  John  French  (2),  born  Feb.  28,  1641,  married  Experience 
Haynes;  John  French  (3),  born  April  16, 1669,  removed  to  Mendon, 
Mass.;  John  French  (4),  born  Mar.  14  (June  25?),  1728,  married 
Anna  Haynes  in  1754,  removed  to  Maidstone,  Vt.,  died  April  18, 
1781;  Thomas  Giles  French,  born  at  Mendon,  Mass.,  July  12,  1773; 
Alletta,  Thomas  Giles,  Alvin,  etc.,  of  Brunswick,  Vt. 


CHAPTER  2 
Indian  Stream 

The  history  of  Luther  Parker  from  1827  to  1836  is  so 
intimately  connected  with  that  of  the  Indian  Stream 
country  that  both  may  be  blended  into  a  single  narra- 
tive. 

Indian  Stream,  Indian  Stream  Settlement,  Indian 
Stream  Territory,  Township  of  Indian  Village,  Town- 
ship of  Liberty  in  Indian  Stream,  Indian  Grant,  Bedel's 
Grant,  Bedel's  and  Others'  Grant,  Bedel's  and  Asso- 
ciates' Grant  are  all  names  which  were  applied  to  a 
tract  of  land  situated  in  what  is  now  the  extreme 
northern  portion  of  Coos  county,  the  northernmost 
county  of  New  Hampshire.  From  the  treaty  of  Paris 
in  1783  to  the  Ashburton  treaty  in  1842,  when  it  was 
definitely  assigned  to  the  United  States,  its  status  was 
ambiguous,  both  Canada  and  New  Hampshire  from 
time  to  time  asserting  a  right  to  it,  though  rarely  with 
enough  emphasis  to  cause  serious  trouble. 

The  bounds  of  the  tract  were  the  Connecticut  river 
and  the  three  Connecticut  lakes  on  the  south  and  east, 
the  highlands  between  the  Atlantic  and  St.  Lawrence 
systems  on  the  northeast  and  north,  and  Hall's  Stream 
on  the  northwest  and  west.  Through  the  midst  of  the 
territory  thus  enclosed,  from  northeast  to  southwest, 
parallel  to  Hall's  Stream  and  roughly  parallel  to  the 
Connecticut  river,  flows  Indian  Stream,  a  tributary  of 
the  latter,  which  joins  it  some  four  miles  above  the 
mouth  of  Hall's  Stream,  itself  another  tributary.  The 
district  is  almost  identical  with  the  present  township 
of  Pittsburg,  Coos  county,  and  is  described  in  a  pro- 
prietor's document  of  October  25,  1819,  as  "supposed 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  9 

to  contain  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  acres. "^  In 
a  deed  of  April  5,  1803,  it  is  referred  to  as  "a  certain 
tract  or  parcel  of  land  situated  in  the  township  of 
Indian  Village  (so-called)  in  the  county  of  Graf  ton.  ^ 
The  county  of  Coos  was  erected  out  of  the  county  of 
Grafton  by  act  of  legislature  on  December  24,  1803.^ 

The  physical  character  of  that  part  of  the  Indian 
Stream  country  which  most  concerns  us  may  be,  at 
least  in  part,  appreciated  from  the  following  description : 
"Connecticut  lake,  chief  of  the  river's  headwaters,  lies 
sixteen  hundred  and  eighteen  feet  above  sea-level. 
Picturesquely  irregular  in  outline,  its  shores  in  large 
part  with  forest  fringes  broken  by  green  intervals,  it  is 
a  handsome  lake  of  fine  proportions,  as  becomes  a  pro- 
genitor of  so  fair  a  stream.  It  extends  four  miles  in 
length,  has  a  breadth  at  its  widest  of  two  and  three- 
quarters  miles,  and  contains  nearly  three  square  miles. 
The  neighboring  hills  are  thick  with  deciduous  trees, 
particularly  the  maple,  mingled  with  the  spruce  and  fir. 
In  the  autumn,  while  the  trees  are  aglow  with  their 
rich  tints,  the  heights  are  often  white  from  the  frozen 
mist  that  clings  to  the  spears  of  the  evergreen  foli- 
age. .  .  .  Now  full-formed  the  river  emerges  from 
the  rocky  outlet  of  this  limpid  basin,  falling  abruptly 
about  thirty-seven  feet.  For  the  first  two  and  a  half 
miles  of  its  course  it  is  almost  a  continual  rapid,  aver- 
aging perhaps  ten  rods  in  breadth.  Then  it  drops  into 
a  more  tranquil  mood  and  glides  along  for  some  four 
miles,  winding  west  and  southwest.  Then,  and  with  a 
sweeping  bend  in  the  upper  part  of  the  township  of 
Stewartstown  .  .  .  receiving  along  the  way  two  fair- 
sized  tributaries  and  lesser  streams,  it  flows  again  more 
rapidly  to  the  meeting  of  the  bounds  of  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont,  and  Canada.  Here,  joined  by  another  tribu- 
tary. Hall's  Stream,  which  comes  down  from  the  north. 


10  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

and  makes  the  west  bound  of  New  Hampshire  and 
Canada,  it  swings  into  its  long,  serpentine  course, 
separating  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  southward, 
through  romantic  country.  From  Connecticut  lake 
to  the  meeting  of  the  bounds,  or,  more  exactly,  to  the 
mouth  of  Hall's  Stream  at  Canaan,  Vermont,  a  distance 
of  about  eighteen  miles,  its  descent  is  set  down  as  five 
hundred  and  eighty -three  feet."^ 

Because  of  its  natural  seclusion  and  its  remoteness 
from  the  white  man's  life,  and  because  of  danger  from 
the  St.  Francis  Indians,  who  for  a  long  time  blocked  all 
attempts  to  penetrate  even  lower  Coos  county,  the 
Indian  Stream  country  remained  for  many  years 
unnoticed,  and  probably  undiscovered.  Prior  to  1760 
there  had  been  no  English  settlement  in  the  Connecticut 
valley  above  Charlestown,  New  Hampshire;  but  in  1761, 
as  a  result  of  the  discipline  of  the  native  inhabitants  in 
the  French  and  Indian  war,  and  because  of  the  in- 
creased knowledge  of  the  valley's  attractiveness  acquired 
in  the  frequent  military  expeditions,  there  was  a  surging 
of  settlers  upstream,  and  the  settlement  of  Haverhill 
was  begun.  ^ 

It  was  nearly  thirty  years  afterward,  however,  that 
white  men  first  began  to  know  Indian  Stream.  In 
1785  Luther  Fuller  "hunted  in  Indian  Stream  Territory 
for  Major  Whitcomb."  ^^  In  1787  the  region  was 
visited  by  a  party  of  Canadian  surveyors, ^^  and  in 
1789  Colonel  Jeremiah  Fames  and  others  also  sur- 
vej'^ed  the  district  for  the  United  States  government 
in  the  attempt  to  fix  the  boundary  line  between  Canada 
and  New  Hampshire,  as  contemplated  by  the  treaty 
of  1783.6 

In  the  year  1789  there  also  visited  the  Indian 
Stream  country  two  hunters  and  prospectors,  whose 
short  autumn  sojourn  so  impressed  them  with  the 
richness  and  charm  of  the  region  that  it  was  fruitful  in 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  11 

consequences.  They  were  David  Gibbs  of  the  Haver- 
hill just  mentioned,  and  Nathaniel  Wales  of  Lisbon. 
They  found  abundant  game  and  good  fishing  in  the 
picturesque,  well- watered,  forest-clad  country,  and 
noted  the  intervals  and  the  rich  though  limited  bottom 
lands  on  the  Connecticut  river  and  lake  and  Indian 
Stream.  The  Indians  not  proving  troublesome,  they 
returned  the  following  year  with  a  small  company  of 
friends,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  "pitches"  were  made. 
At  the  approach  of  winter,  however,  they  are  said  to 
have  withdrawn,  and  the  valley  remained  unsettled  by 
white  men,  and,  except  for  hunters  and  trappers, 
un  visited.' 

The  history  of  real  settlement  at  Indian  Stream 
begins  in  1796.  During  that  year  Chief  Philip,  of  the 
St.  Francis  tribe,  gave  to  David  Gibbs,  Nathaniel 
Wales,  and  Moody  Bedel  a  deed  to  large  tracts  of  land 
which  included  Indian  Stream,  a  deed  which  was  exe- 
cuted on  June  30,  and  on  November  22  received  for 
record  at  the  Grafton  county  office.^  Reference  to 
this  instrument  is  contained  in  the  deed  of  Natlianiel 
Wales  to  Hobart  Spencer,  executed  November  1,  1802: 
"Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I,  Nath'  Wales, 
of  Wales  location  so-called  in  the  County  of  Grafton 
and  State  of  New  Hampshire,  Col.  Moody  Bedel  of  the 
same  County  and  State,  and  David  Gibbs  of  the 
Province  of  Quebec,  did  purchase  of  the  St.  Francis 
tribe  or  nation  of  Indians  a  certain  tract  or  parcel  of 
land  situate  as  follows :  lying  north  of  Great  Ammonoo- 
sack  River  so-called,  emptying  into  Connecticut  River 
east  of  said  Connecticut  River,  west  of  Province  of 
Maine,  warranting  and  defending  the  same  to  us  the 
said  Wales,  Bedel,  and  Gibbs,  having  received  of 
Hobart  Spencer  of  Indian  Stream  so-called  three  thou- 
sand dollars  to  my  full  satisfaction,  do  give,  grant,  bar- 
gain, sell,  confirm  to  him  the  said  Hobart  Spencer,  his 


12  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

heirs  and  assigns,  sixteen  thousand  acres  of  land,  being 
part  of  my  share  of  land  purchased  in  joint  partnership 
with  the  abovesaid  Bedel,  Wales,  and  Gibbs,  said  land 
lying  in  common  and  undivided  equal  in  quantity  with 
the  whole  of  said  land  purchased  as  is  above  mentioned."® 
The  deed  of  Philip  contained  provision  for  perpetual 
hunting  and  fishing  rights  to  its  giver,  and  for  the  right 
to  plant  four  bushels  of  corn  and  beans. ^° 

This  deed  was  the  basis  of  subsequent  transfers  of 
landed  property  in  the  Indian  Stream  country  up  to 
1824 — transfers  which  began  at  least  as  early  as 
November  1,  1802,  and  for  a  period  of  twenty  years 
or  more  were  usually  in  terms  of  "  common  and  undivided 
land  belonging  to  said  grant,  with  the  proprietors'  right 
of  pitching  each  and  every  hundred  acres  of  said  land 
by  complying  with  the  rules  and  regulations  and  votes 
of  said  proprietors  as  recorded  in  the  clerk's  ofiice."  ^^ 

The  settlement  of  the  country  proceeded  slowly  at 
first.  Some  little  light  may  be  thrown  upon  it,  upon 
the  personnel  of  the  pioneers,  and  upon  the  composition 
and  activities  of  the  proprietors'  association,  by  a 
review  of  the  transfers  of  land  during  the  earlier  years 
of  Indian  Stream  history. 

Let  us  look,  first,  at  the  interest  of  Nathaniel  Wales, 
one  of  the  triumvirate  who  acquired  title  to  Indian 
Stream  from  Philip.  On  November  1,  1802,  he  deeded 
to  Hobart  Spencer  of  Indian  Stream,  for  $3,000,  sixteen 
thousand  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on 
June  21,  1804,  to  Thomas  Cutts  of  York  county, 
Massachusetts,  for  $4,074.41,  thirty  thousand  acres  of 
common  and  undivided  land;^^  on  March  18,  1806,  to 
Enoch  Emery  of  Conway  or  Bartlett,  for  $100,  one  hun- 
dred acres  on  the  east  side  of  Indian  Stream;^*  on  a 
date  uncertain,  to  James  Treadway,  a  quantity  uncer- 
tain.^^ As  James  Treadway  deeded  land  to  John  Rowe 
on  October  9,  1811,  and  as  John  Rowe  disposes  of  a 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  13 

number  of  holdings  during  the  years  1811-1813,  aggre- 
gating about  four  thousand  acres,  exclusive  of  a  half 
interest  in  a  certain  tract  of  dimensions,  it  seems  likely 
that  the  Tread  way  purchase  was  a  large  one.^^ 

Further,  the  following  transfers  of  the  original  Wales 
lands  by  the  hands  of  their  purchasers  are  recorded: 
on  April  5,  1803,  Hobart  Spencer  deeded  to  Joseph 
Spencer  of  Waterford,  Caledonia  county,  Vermont, 
for  $1,000,  a  thousand  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land;^^  on  April  5,  1804,  to  David  Barnett  of  Topsham, 
Orange  county,  Vermont,  for  $1,900,  eleven  thousand 
acres  of  common  and  undivided  land.^^  Joseph  Spen- 
cer disposed  of  his  thousand  acres  on  June  4,  1812,  to 
Dudley  Carleton  of  Newbury,  Orange  county,  Ver- 
mont, for  the  same  price  he  paid  to  Hobart  Spencer.^* 
John  Rowe's  transfers  are  numerous:  on  May  11,  1811, 
to  Anna  and  Pheobe  Currier  of  Indian  Stream,  for  $110, 
a  quantity  of  land  unknown  ;2''  on  September  10,  1811, 
to  Nathaniel  Perkins  of  Concord,  now  Lisbon,  Grafton 
county.  New  Hampshire,  for  $200,  two  hundred  acres 
of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on  October  21,  1811, 
to  Nathan  Judd  of  Concord,  or  Lisbon,  for  $100,  one 
hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;'^  on 
October  24,  1811,  to  Nathan  Judd,  for  a  price  not 
stated,  two  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land;23  on  November  12,  1811,  to  Nathaniel  Perkins, 
for  $50,  one  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land,  and  for  $1,000,  one  thousand  acres  at  the  mouth 
of  Indian  Stream,  which  he  calls  the  Nathaniel  Wales 
farm,  acquired  by  deed  of  Nathan  Beecher(?);-^  on 
November  16,  1811,  to  Nathaniel  Perkins,  for  $50,  two 
hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land,  and  to 
William  Quimby  of  Concord,  or  Lisbon,  for  $150,  four 
hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on  June 
13,  1812,  to  Ebenezer  Fletcher  of  Charlestown,  Cheshire 
county.  New  Hampshire,  for  $275,  two  thousand  two 


14  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on 
February  7,  1813,  to  John  Haynes  of  Indian  Stream, 
for  a  price  not  recorded,  one  hundred  acres  opposite 
the  mouth  of  Indian  Stream;"  on  February  22,  1813, 
to  William  Quimby  and  Nathaniel  Perkins,  for  $50, 
"one  half  of  a  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  (except 
what  I  have  conveyed  by  deed  prior  to  this  convey- 
ance of  this  deed)  lying  on  Connecticut  river  on  one 
side  and  Canada  line  on  the  other  side,  it  being  the 
parcel  or  tract  of  land  I  hold  by  a  deed  from  James 
Treadway  dated  the  ninth  of  October,  1811;  reference 
to  be  had  to  the  above  deed  (also  to  the  deed  executed 
from  Nathaniel  Wales  to  the  said  James  Treadway)  for 
further  description  of  the  boundaries. "^^ 

David  Gibbs,  another  of  the  three  original  proprie- 
tors, deeded  as  follows:  on  September  18,  1811,  to 
David  Hill  of  Waterford,  Caledonia  county,  Vermont, 
for  $100,  one  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land,  and  to  David  Tyler  of  Liberty  the  same;^^  on 
June  27,  1814,  to  Abraham  Turner  of  Warwick  county, 
province  of  Lower  Canada,  for  $500,  one  thousand 
acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^'^  on  September 
12,  1817,  to  John  Haynes  of  Indian  Stream,  for  $1,000. 
one  thousand  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on 
June  25,  1821,  to  John  Haynes,  for  $500,  an  equal 
amount  of  the  same.^^ 

The  disposition  of  the  Gibbs  and  Wales  interests 
as  above  recorded  may  be  represented  by  the  diagram 
on  the  following  page. 

There  were  many  other  transfers  of  land  which  took 
place  prior  to  1820,  the  connection  of  which  with  the 
original  grantees  of  1796  is  not  perfectly  traceable,  but 
which  are  parts  of  the  original  Wales  holding.  ^^  On 
July  1,  1804,  James  Ladd  of  Indian  Stream  deeded  to 
Samuel  Osborne  of  Canaan,  Vermont,  for  $500,  eighty- 
five  acres  at  the  mouth  of  Indian  Stream,  and  one 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 


15 


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TttirC/r/V 

Jtr ^,^„cb?r,  TTirehnf  it 


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3am.  Olh^m  I  {■To. 


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16  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^*  on 
January  6,  1808,  to  Betsey  G.  Ladd  of  Hereford, 
Lower  Canada,  for  $250,  five  hundred  acres  of  common 
and  undivided  land.^^  On  August  28,  1809,  Alexander 
Plumley  deeded  to  John  Plumley,  both  of  Indian 
Stream,  for  $100,  sixty  acres  on  the  east  bank  of 
Indian  Stream. ^^  On  March  15,  1810,  James  Ladd, 
then  of  Hereford,  deeded  to  WilHam  K.  Smith  of 
Piermont,  New  Hampshire,  for  $750,  one  thousand 
acres  (ten  lots)  of  common  and  undivided  land;"  on 
September  21,  1811,  to  David  Tyler  of  Liberty  (Indian 
Stream),  for  $30,  sixty  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land;^^  on  October  14,  1811,  to  Royal  Gage  of  St. 
Johnsbury,  Vermont,  for  $60,  one  hundred  acres  of 
common  and  undivided  land;^^  on  November  7,  1811, 
to  Thomas  Hill  of  Waterford,  Caledonia  county, 
Vermont,  for  $100,  two  hundred  acres  of  common  and 
undivided  land.'"'  On  June  20,  1812,  Nathaniel  Bean 
deeded  to  Sinclair  Bean  and  Nathaniel  Bean,  Jr.,  all  of 
Indian  Stream,  for  $200,  a  quantity  not  stated.'*^  On 
September  24,  1812,  James  Ladd  deeded  to  Thomas 
Brigham  of  Liberty  (leaf  missing)  ;^2  on  the  same  date, 
Thomas  Brigham  to  John  Haynes,  for  $150,  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  acres,  being  lot  12  of  Ladd's  survey;*^ 
on  December  19,  1812,  Thomas  Brigham  to  Royal  Gage, 
for  $50,  one  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land;  and  to  Thomas  Hill,  for  $100,  two  hundred  acres 
of  the  same.^^ 

The  transfers  of  1813  to  1819  were  as  follows:  on 
March  20,  1813,  John  Plumley  to  John  Haynes,  both  of 
Indian  Stream,  for  $162,  sixty  acres  on  the  east  bank 
of  Indian  Stream,  the  same  he  had  of  Alexander  Plum- 
ley in  1809  ;*5  on  September  16,  1813,  Samuel  and 
Lydia  Osborne  of  Indian  Stream  to  James  Heath  of 
Stewartstown,  for  $445,  eighty-five  acres  at  the  mouth 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  17 

of  Indian  Stream  acquired  of  James  Ladd;^*^  in  Janu- 
ary, 1815,  Jesse  Tyler  of  Colebrook  to  James  Heath  of 
Liberty,  for  $250,  the  one  hundred  acres  of  the  Tyler 
pitch,  and  a  fifty-acre  gore  bounded  on  the  south  by  the 
Connecticut  river;*^  on  February  18,  1815,  James  Ladd 
to  Mary  Ladd,  both  of  Hereford,  Lower  Canada,  for 
$500,  five  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land;^^  on  January  22,  1816,  Nathaniel  Tyler  to  Noah 
Lyman,  both  of  Columbia,  Coos  county,  for  $75,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of  common  and  undi- 
vided land;"  on  May  9,  1816,  David  Tyler  to  Abner 
Hyland,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  for  $700,  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty-eight  acres  near  the  mouth  of 
Indian  Stream;^"  on  June  13,  1816,  Benjamin  Spencer 
of  Colebrook  to  Noah  Lyman  of  Columbia,  for  $200, 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^^ 
on  August  23,  1816,  Noah  Lyman  to  Daniel  Barnes  of 
Southampton,  Massachusetts,  for  $200,  two  hundred 
acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on  March  13, 
1817,  Jeremiah  Eames  of  Stewartstown  to  Noah  Ly- 
man, for  $60,  six  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undi- 
vided land;  ^^  on  July  12,  1819,  James  Heath  of  Indian 
Stream  to  Daniel  Rogers  of  Newbury,  Vermont,  for 
$500,  eighty-five  acres  at  the  mouth  of  Indian  Stream, 
the  same  he  had  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  Osborne  in 
1813;^^  on  August  1,  1819,  Winslow  Higgins  of  Water- 
ford,  Vermont,  to  James  Heath,  for  $60,  lot  number  4<;^^ 
on  September  9,  1819,  Nathan  L.  Smith  of  Stratford, 
Coos  county,  to  Jeremiah  and  Thomas  Tabor  of 
Bradford,  Vermont,  tor  $700,  land  on  the  west  bank  of 
Indian  Stream;^^  on  November  1,  1819,  David  Tyler  to 
John  Haynes  of  Indian  Stream,  for  $40,  one  hundred 
acres  (lot  9)  earned  by  settler's  duty,  and  sixty  acres 
adjoining,  acquired  from  Ladd." 

From  the  above  and  othei  like  data  in  the  Indian 


18  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Stream  instruments  it  is  possible  to  draw  certain  con- 
conclusions  regarding  the  history  of  the  region.  It  is, 
of  course,  apparent  that  not  every  person  who  bought 
or  sold  land  in  the  tract  was  a  resident.  David  Barnett, 
for  example,  purchased  eleven  thousand  acres  in  1804, 
and  in  1814  we  find  him  giving  power  of  attorney  to 
John  McDuffee  to  use  at  a  proprietors'  meeting  ap- 
pointed for  November  6.^^  Thomas  Cutts  gives  the 
same  to  J.  M.  Tillotson  on  January  7,  1816,  for  a  similar 
purpose;^^  and  Dudley  Carleton  to  John  B.  Carleton  on 
October  2,  1819. "^^  While  such  evidence  does  not 
afford  conclusive  proof  of  non-residence,  it  strongly 
indicates  it,  especially  as  these  names  appear  neither 
in  the  tax  inventories  of  later  years  nor  on  the  citizens' 
roll  of  1832. 

It  is  also  apparent  that  it  is  the  larger  landed  pro- 
prietors who  are  most  likely  to  be  non-resident.  If 
Nathaniel  Wales,  David  Gibbs,  and  Moody  Bedel  were 
actual  settlers,  it  was  for  only  a  comparatively  short 
time.  Nathaniel  Wales  of  Indian  Stream  occurs  for  the 
last  time  in  1806 j^"  and  in  1802  he  is  called  of  Wales 
Location,  so-called,  in  Grafton  county;  David  Gibbs  is 
a  resident  of  Lower  Canada  by  1802;^^  and  there  is  no 
evidence  of  Moody  Bedel's  residence  at  Indian  Stream 
until  1811,  beyond  the  fact  that  he  was  joint  owner  of 
the  district. ^2  J^  i802  he  is  of  the  same  residence  as 
Wales. 

NOTES 

1  Lib.  2nd,  Proprietors'  Records  of  Deeds  of  a  Tract  of  Land 
called  Bedel's  and  Others'  Grant,  p.  39. 

2  76,,  p.  41.  Here  may  be  described  the  manuscript  sources  from 
which  most  of  the  data  of  this  and  several  succeeding  chapters  are 
derived.     They  are  as  follows: 

1.  The  above  named  Lib.  2nd,  Proprietors'  Records,  etc.,  a 
manuscript  book,  8  x  12  inches,  loosely  sewed,  without  cover, 
originally  containing  46  pp.,  of  which  the  second  leaf,  pp.  2  and  3, 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  19 

is  missing.  Its  contents  consist  of  copies  of  deeds,  with  dates  of 
execution  ranging  from  November  1,  1802,  to  August  23,  1816,  and 
records  of  proprietors'  meetings  with  date  as  late  as  October  25, 
1819. 

2.  Lib.  3rd,  Proprietors'  Records,  etc.,  of  the  same  description 
and  contents  as  Lib.  2nd,  containing  38  pp.,  with  dates  of  execution 
ranging  from  June  21,  1804,  to  April  20,  1829,  and  dates  of  pro- 
prietors' meetings  extending  to  October  26,  1818.  The  numbering 
of  pp.  1-3  and  30  occurs  twice. 

3.  A  book  of  the  same  description,  without  title,  containing  a 
few  deeds  and  agreements,  the  tax  inventories  of  1827-1830,  1832, 
and  1834,  and  the  minutes  of  several  meetings  of  the  Assembly  of 
Indian  Stream.  Pp.  1-6  are  missing,  and  one  or  two  leaves  at  the 
end,  and  part  of  p.  26  is  torn  off.  The  dates  in  this  manuscript 
range  from  July  31,  1823,  to  March  15,  1834. 

These  three  manuscripts  were  loaned  me  by  Mr.  Sylvester 
Lyford,  clerk  of  the  town  of  Pittsburg,  who  called  my  attention  to 
their  existence  in  his  oflBce  in  September,  1911.  They  will  be 
referred  to  as  2,  3,  and  4. 

4.  A  leather-bound  manuscript  book  inscribed  Indian  Stream 
Records,  Book  C,  of  the  same  form  as  the  above,  containing  335 
pages,  of  which  33-219  are  blank.  Pp.  1-33  contain  the  consti- 
tution, citizens'  roll,  and  enactments  of  Indian  Stream,  and  partial 
minutes  of  its  Assembly  meetings  from  July  9,  1832,  to  April  18, 

1835.  Pp.  219-335  contain  deeds  and  agreements  dating  from 
October,  1811,  to  August  29,  1835.  The  book  is  in  the  possession 
of  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society  at  Concord,  into  whose 
keeping  it  was  given  by  Judge  Edgar  Aldrich  of  the  United  States 
courts.     The  book  will  be  referred  to  as  C. 

3  Coolidge  and  Mansfield,  History  and  Description  of  New  Eng- 
land, p.  507. 

*  Edwin  M.  Bacon,  The  Connecticut  River  and  the  Valley  of  the 
Connecticut,  pp.  350-1. 

^  Grant  Powers,  Historical  Sketches  of  the  Coos  Country,  1841, 
pp.  9,  37.  For  the  journal  of  an  attempt  to  ascend  the  Connec- 
ticut valley  in  1754,  see  pp.  17-32. 

^*  The  report  of  the  Commissioners  to  Indian  Stream,  November, 

1836,  p.  202. 

«'b  Bacon,  p.  368. 

*  Report  of  Indian  Stream  Com.,  pp.  190  ff. 
'  Bacon,  368. 


20  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

*  Edgar  Aldrich,  Our  Northern  Boundary,  etc.,  Proceedings  of 
New  Hampshire  Historical  Society,  vol.  2,  p.  378,  quotes  the  deed  of 
Philip.  Thomas  Eames  is  there  named  as  the  grantee.  The  con- 
nection between  him  and  Wales,  Gibbs,  and  Bedel,  who  are  every- 
where else  heard  of  as  the  possessors  of  the  tract,  is  not  clear.  Judge 
Aldrich's  article  is  printed  also  in  The  Granite  Monthly,  xvii,  4, 
October,  1894. 

'  2,  p.  8.  The  reference  to  the  Great  Ammonoosuc  is  repeated 
in  2,  p.  9  (April  5,  1804)  and  3,  p.  38  (March  19,  1813).  It  may 
refer  to  an  early  and  indefinite  form  of  the  claim,  which  is  usually 
made  in  the  terms:  "Land  situated  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
bounded  on  Connecticut  River  south  and  Province  of  Maine  east 
and  Canada  line  north"  (2,  p.  19,  November  12,  1811). 


10  Aldrich,  378. 

36  2,  p.  16. 

"  2,  p.  8. 

37  2,  p.  21. 

12  2,  p.  8. 

38  3,  p.  5. 

13  3,  p.  12. 

39  3,  p.  3  bis. 

"  2,  p.  45. 

^03,  p.  8. 

15  2,  p.  7. 

"  2,  p.  28. 

16  2,  pp.  5,  12,  14,  18,  19, 

33;           <2  3^p.  1. 

C,  p.  227. 

"3  2,  p.  4. 

17  2,  p.  41. 

«  3,  p.  4. 

18  2,  p.  9. 

"2,  p.  17. 

19  2,  p.  43. 

^6  2,  p.  24. 

20  2,  p.  23. 

473,  p.  18. 

21  2,  p.  13. 

*8  2,  p.  29. 

22  C,  p.  227. 

*9  3,  p.  23. 

23  C,  p.  228. 

50  2,  p.  22. 

2*  2,  pp.  19,  12. 

51  3,  p.  24. 

25  2,  pp.  14,  5. 

52  2,  p.  31. 

26  2,  p.  33. 

53  3,  p.  26. 

27  2,  p.  18. 

5*  3,  p.  17. 

^8  2,  p.  7. 

553,  p.  14. 

29  3,  pp.  7,  4. 

56  3,  p.  3. 

30  2,  p.  24. 

57  3,  p.  33. 

31  C,  p.  222. 

58  2,    p.    11. 

32  3,  p.  37. 

59  2,  p.  44. 

333,  p.  19. 

60  2,  p.  40. 

3*3,  p.  16. 

61  3,  p.  7. 

35  2,  p.  37. 

62  2,  p.  19. 

CHAPTER  3 

The  Settling  of  Indian  Stream 

From  those  deeds  which  specify  residence  and  de- 
scribe holdings  with  definite  bounds,  from  certain 
records  of  proprietors'  meetings,  from  the  inventories 
for  taxes  from  1827  on,  and  from  the  citizens'  roll  of 
1832  it  is  possible  to  construct  a  comparatively  full 
account  of  the  formation  of  the  Indian  Stream  com- 
munity. There  were  probably  some  residents  whose 
names  do  not  appear  in  any  of  the  instruments  and 
records;  but  the  number  of  settlers  of  whom  there  is 
evidence  is  in  itself  proof  that  the  names  of  most  of 
them  are  known,  when  we  consider  that  at  no  time 
did  the  number  of  voters  at  Indian  Stream  greatly 
exceed  sixty. 

Omitting  further  mention  of  Wales  and  Gibbs,  we 
note  that  Hobart  Spencer  is  mentioned  as  of  Indian 
Stream  in  the  Wales  deed  of  November  1,  1802,  though 
on  April  5  of  the  next  year  he  is  of  Lower  Canada,^ 
In  1804  James  Ladd,  who  in  all  subsequent  instruments 
is  of  Hereford,  Lower  Canada,  is  of  Indian  Stream. ^ 
On  July  1  of  that  year  Samuel  Osborne  of  Canaan 
acquires  of  Ladd  eighty-five  acres  at  the  mouth  of 
Indian  Stream,  on  the  east  bank.^  Osborne  sold  this 
land  in  1813,^  but  afterward  owned  property  near  Back 
Lake  brook,  and  was  on  the  citizens'  roll  of  1832. 

On  March  18,  1806,  Enoch  Emery  of  Conway  or 
Bartlett  had  one  hundred  acres  of  land  of  Nathaniel 
Wales  on  the  east  bank  of  Indian  Stream,  and  the  pre- 
sumption is  that  he  became  a  resident,  though  no 
more  is  heard  of  him.^     A  certain  Smart  also  was  resi- 


22  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

dent  in  1806. ^  On  August  28,  1809,  Alexander  Plumley 
sells  John  Plumley  sixty  acres  on  the  east  bank, 
and  both  are  of  Indian  Stream. ''  Anna  and  Phoebe 
Currier  are  mentioned  as  of  Indian  Stream  on  May  11, 
1811,^  and  John  Rowe,  who  deeds  to  them  on  that  date 
"a  sartinge  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situated  on  Indian 
Stream  so-called,  it  being  a  part  of  a  lot  of  land  I 
bought  of  John  Homan,  lot  number  5,  situated  on 
Indian  Stream  begininge  at  the  wester  side  on  the  had 
line  of  Samuel  Osborn's,  thence  an  est  corse  to  land 
clamed  by  John  Plumley,  thence  on  the  devishion  line 
as  it  knowe  runs  to  Indian  Stream,  thence  down  Indian 
Stream  to  the  first  mentioned  bound,"  is  himself  of 
Indian  Stream  at  the  time.  On  September  10  of  the 
same  year  he  is  of  Prospect,  district  of  Three  Rivers, 
province  of  Lower  Canada,  and  on  November  12  and 
16  of  "Prospect,  supposed  to  be  in  the  United  States 
of  America,"  and  on  June  15,  1812,  "of  Prospect  (so- 
called)  or  Indian  Stream  in  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica."^ February  7  of  the  next  year  he  is  of  Concord, 
or  Lisbon.^"  David  Tyler  of  Liberty  also  appears  in 
1811,  having  land  of  David  Gibbs  and  James  Ladd  on 
September  18  and  21.^^ 

From  the  number  of  transfers  which  took  place  in 
1811  a  considerable  interest  in  Indian  Stream  lands 
may  be  inferred.  There  are  also  references  to  a  Ladd's 
survey  of  1811,  and  a  certificate  confirming  David 
Tyler  in  the  possession  of  lot  9  is  dated  Liberty, 
September  21,  and  signed  by  "James  Ladd,  Govnt. 
Surveyor.  "^2 

Not  all  of  the  transfers  indicate  new  residents  of  the 
district,  of  course;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  there  were 
settlers  whose  names  do  not  appear  in  deeds,  as  will 
appear  from  the  following  list  of  names  which  are 
signed    to    a    petition    addressed    to    the    proprietors' 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  23 

meeting  of  September  16,  1811:  Samuel  Osborn,  David 
Tyler,  James  Ladd,  Jesse  Tyler,  Jonathan  Kimball, 
Benjamin  Kimball,  Frederick  Kimball,  Sinclair  Bean, 
Anna  W.  Currier,  Phoebe  Currier,  Thomas  Brigham, 
Joseph  Jones,  Stephen  F.  Hemingway,  John  Ha^mes, 
William  Quimby,  John  Rowe  for  John  Punchard, 
Timothy  Bedel,  Moody  Bedel,  Richard  Quimby,  David 
Tyler  for  Eunice  and  Abigail  Plumley.^^ 

To  these  data  for  1811  may  be  added  that  Nathan 
Judd  of  Lisbon,  said  to  have  come  to  Indian  Stream 
in  1813,  had  land  of  John  Rowe  on  October  21, 1811  ;i4 
that  Nathaniel  Perkins  of  Lisbon,  said  to  have  come 
in  1814,  had  of  John  Rowe  on  September  10,  1811,  two 
hundred  acres  of  common  and  undivided  land,  on 
November  16  two  hundred  acres  more,  and  on  No- 
vember 12  one  thousand  acres  at  the  mouth  of  Indian 
Stream,  being  the  Nathaniel  Wales  farm; ^^  and  that 
John  Haynes,  said  to  have  come  in  1813,  signs  himself 
"  Justice  "  on  September  10, 1811.^^  Ebenezer  Fletcher, 
Daniel  Haynes,  and  John  Comstock  are  also  said  by 
the  Fergusson  history  to  have  come  in  181 1.^^ 

The  only  evidence  for  1812  is  in  the  following:  on 
June  13  Ebenezer  Fletcher  of  Charlestov/n,  Cheshire 
county,  had  of  John  Rowe  twenty-two  hundred  acres 
of  common  and  undivided  land;^^  on  June  20  Nathan- 
iel Bean  deeds  to  Sinclair  Bean  and  Nathaniel  Bean,  Jr., 
land  at  the  mouth  of  Indian  Stream  ;^3  on  July  21 
Ebenezer  Fletcher  acquires  of  James  Ladd  four  hun- 
dred acres  of  common  and  undivided  land;^°  on  Sep- 
tember 24  Thomas  Brigham  transfers  to  John  Haynes 
of  Indian  Stream  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  equal 
to  lot  12  of  Ladd's  survey;-^  on  December  19  Thomas 
Brigham,  now  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Vermont,  deeds  to 
Royal  Gage  of  the  same  place  one  hundred  acres  of 
common  and  undivided  land,  and  to  Thomas  Hill  of 
Waterford,  Vermont,  two  hundred  acres.^- 


24  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

In  1813,  John  Rowe,  now  of  Lisbon,  deeds  to  John 
Haynes  one  hundred  acres  opposite  the  mouth  of  Indian 
Stream  on  February  7 ;  ^^  and  on  February  22,  to  Na- 
thaniel Perkins  and  WilHam  Quimby  of  Lisbon  half 
interest  in  a  tract  ;2^  on  March  20  John  Plumley  deeds 
to  John  Haynes  sixty  acres  on  the  east  bank;-^  on 
September  16  Samuel  and  Lydia  Osborn  deed  to  James 
Heath  of  Stewartstown  eighty-five  acres  at  the  mouth 
of  Indian  Stream.^^  Nathan  Judd  also  came  this  year.^^^ 

For  1814  there  is  no  evidence  in  the  deeds  to  throw 
light  upon  the  coming  of  settlers.  Nathaniel  Perkins 
is  said  to  have  come  during  this  year,^^ 

In  1815  James  Ladd  transfers  to  Betsey  Ladd,  both 
of  Hereford,  five  hundred  acres  of  common  and  undi- 
vided land,  and  in  January  Jesse  Tyler,  now  of  Cole- 
brook,  transfers  to  James  Heath,  now  of  Indian  Stream 
("of  a  place  called  Liberty"),  the  hundred  acres  he 
pitched  upon  at  least  as  early  as  1811,  and  an  adjoining 
gore  bounded  on  the  east  by  Brigbam's  land  and  on  the 
south  by  the  Connecticut  river.^^  The  Fergusson  his- 
tory states  that  Clark  J.  Haynes  and  William  Hyland 
arrived  this  year.-^  In  November  a  proprietors'  meet- 
ing was  held.^^ 

The  only  evidence  for  1816  concerning  actual  settle- 
ment is  to  be  found  in  the  deed  from  David  Tyler  to 
Abner  Hyland,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  acres  near  the  mouth  of  Indian 
Stream.^^ 

On  May  12,  1817,  John  Haynes  acquires  from  David 
Gibbs  one  thousand  acres  of  common  and  undivided 
land,  "with  the  proprietors'  right  of  pitching  two  hun- 
dred acres  to  each  actual  settler  as  by  proprietors' 
records  will  appear."^^  Qn  October  27  there  was  a 
proprietors'  meeting.^^ 

On  October  26,  1818,  there  was  another  proprietors' 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  25 

meeting,  at  which  John  Haynes  was  confirmed  in  the 
possession  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  on  Gage  brook, 
on  which  he  had  done  settler's  duty.^^ 

In  1819,  on  September  29,  Jeremiah  and  Thomas 
Tabor  of  Bradford,  Orange  county,  Vermont,  had 
land  on  the  west  bank  of  Indian  Stream  ;^^  on  July  12 
James  Heath  sells  his  holding  of  eighty -five  acres  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Stream  to  Daniel  Rogers  of  Newbury, 
Vermont,  who  is  a  citizen  on  the  roll  of  1832;^^  on  Au- 
gust 21  Heath  acquires  lot  4;"  on  November  1  David 
Tyler  deeds  to  John  Haynes  one  hundred  acres  (lot  9) 
earned  by  settler's  duty,  and  sixty  acres  adjoining  ac- 
quired from  Ladd.^^  According  to  the  Fergusson  his- 
tory the  arrivals  during  this  year  were  Emer  Applebee, 
Moody  Bedel,  Samuel  Danforth,  Rufus  Brockway, 
David  Eaton,  J.  T.  Boynton,  Zebulon  Flanders,  and 
Enoch  Carr.^^  There  is  record  of  a  proprietors'  meeting 
on  October  25,  1819.'"' 

In  1820,  on  September  27,  Simeon  Wright,  late  of 
Bradford,  Vermont,  acquired  of  James  Heath,  now  of 
district  of  Three  Rivers,  Lower  Canada,  land  described 
as  lot  4,  bounded  on  the  south  by  Connecticut  river 
and  on  the  west  by  Abner  Hyland's  estate.^^  The  Fer- 
gusson history  states  that  Joshua  Parker  arrived  this 
year  and  settled  in  the  Lake  District,  with  Abial  Holt, 
Noah  Fletcher,  Archelaus  Cummings,  Seth  Blood,  and 
Burleigh  Blood,  all  from  Temple.  Paul  Tabor,  Jere- 
miah Tabor,  and  Elisha  Tabor  settled  on  Indian 
Stream.  Simeon  Wright,  Moses  Thurston,  Southwood 
Sibley,  Richard  Blanchard,  Josiah  Rogers,  David 
Mitchell,  John  L.  Haynes,  and  Jeremy  George  were 
other  arrivals. ^2 

On  April  1,  1821,  Royal  Gage  of  St.  Johnsbury, 
Vermont,  deeded  to  Moses  Thurston  of  the  town  of 
Liberty,  in  Indian  Stream  Territory,  the  one  hundred 
acres  Gage  pitched  upon  in   1812;^   and   David   and 


26  THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Damon  Smith  pitched  upon  one  hundred  aeres.^*  The 
names  of  Sylvester  Hutchins,  Reuben  Sawyer,  and 
Jonathan  Hartwell  are  recorded  in  the  Fergusson 
history, '*^^ 

In  1822  Daniel  Harris  made  a  pitch,  of  location  un- 
known. ^^  During  this  year,  according  to  the  Fergusson 
history,  John  Parker,  John  Parsons,  Elisha  Abbott, 
Peter  Barnes,  and  Jonathan  French  were  among  the 
arrivals/^ 

In  1823  Seth  and  Burleigh  Blood  "pitched  and 
began  work  on  the  meadow  lot,  so-called,"  near  the 
Connecticut  lake."^^  Sampson  Rowell  and  Eben  and 
Silas  Getchell  came  this  year/^^" 

In  1824  the  following  transfers  are  recorded:  July  9, 
John  Haynes  to  David  Eaton,  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  ;^^  October  23,  Richard  Quimby  to  Rufus  Brock- 
way,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  two  hundred  acres ;''^  Oc- 
tober 25,  Rufus  Brockway  to  David  and  Amos  Tyler 
of  Waterford,  Vermont,  land  for  $350;^°  Daniel  Harris 
to  J.  T.  Boynton,  the  pitch  he  made  in  1822.^^  Samuel 
Higgins,  Britton  Cook,  and  Ephraim  C.  Aldrich  also 
came  this  year.^^'' 

In  1825  Boynton  transfers  the  Harris  pitch  to  Alpheus 
Hutchins;^"  and  Zaccheus  Clough  clears  two  acres  on  a 
pitch  on  a  lot  east  of  the  Harris  lot.^^ 

On  July  1,  1826,  Alanson  Cummings  of  Temple,  who 
becomes  a  prominent  member  of  the  community,  has 
land  of  Langdon  Haynes  of  Indian  Stream,  on  the  north 
side  of  Back  lake  at  Sucker  brook,  on  the  original  line 
run  by  Abial  Holt;^*  on  July  10  Archelaus  Cummings 
has  the  hundred  acres  which  John  Haynes  acquired  by 
settler's  duty  in  1818.^5 

On  June  8,  1827,  Enos  Rowell  deeds  to  Archelaus 
Cummings,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  two  hundred  acres. ^^ 
Luther  Parker  arrived  during  this  year,  and  its  inven- 
tory for  taxes  is  preserved." 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  27 

On  October  21,  1828,  Ira  C.  Bowen  deeds  to  John 
Tyler,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  the  land  that  David  and 
Amos  Tyler  had  purchased  of  Rufus  Brockway,  west 
of  and  adjoining  land  of  General  Moody  Bedel. ^* 
This  was  near  the  Lake  Settlement. 

On  June  1,  1829,  Nathaniel  Snow  pitched  on  a  gore 
of  land  bounded  on  the  east  by  Seth  Blood,  on  the  south 
by  Benjamin  Fletcher,  and  on  the  west  by  Abial  Holt, 
also  in  the  Lake  Settlement. ^^ 

The  data  of  1830  which  seem  to  bear  on  the  coming 
or  going  of  settlers  are  as  follows:  on  November  18 
Justice  B.  Davis  and  Phineas  Willard,  both  of  Indian 
Stream,  enter  into  an  agreement  ;^°  on  November  18 
Willard  deeds  to  Davis  land  pitched  on  by  Jedediah 
Butten,  sold  by  Butten  to  Ebenezer  Fletcher,  and  by 
him  to  Willard  ;^^  on  December  20  Joshua  Parker  deeds 
to  Zebedee  Thayer  of  Bethlehem,  New  Hampshire, 
ninety-seven  acres  at  Connecticut  lake,^^  and  on  the 
same  date  Zebedee  Thayer,  this  time  called  of  Indian 
Stream,  deeds  the  same  property  to  Levi  Thayer  of 
Franconia,  Grafton  county. ^^ 

In  1831  there  are  the  following:  on  January  22, 
Samuel  Osborn  deeds  to  John  Haynes,  both  of  Indian 
Stream,  for  $10,  the  south  end  of  lot  8,  ten  acres, 
bounded  on  the  west  by  Ebenezer  Fletcher's  mill  lot, 
and  taking  in  the  whole  width  of  the  lot  on  Connecticut 
river,  with  mill  privileges;^*  on  February  22  Clark  J. 
Haynes  deeds  land  to  George  W.  Bunnell,  both  of  Indian 
Stream,  for  $150;^^  on  July  19  South  wood  Sibley  deeds 
eighty  acres  and  twenty  rods  to  Samuel  Danforth  2d;^® 
on  September  17  the  same  land,  which  is  on  the  Con- 
necticut river,  goes  to  David  Rowel  1  of  Indian 
Stream ;^^  on  November  26  Jeremiah  Tabor  deeds  land 
to  Enoch  Carr,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  for  $400.®^ 

The  process  of  Indian  Stream  settlement  up  to  1832, 
when  the  formal  organization  of  Indian  Stream  Terri- 


28  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

tory  took  place,  is  fairly  well  described  by  these  notes. 
Before  passing  to  the  story  of  government  in  the  com- 
munity we  may  point  out  one  or  two  interesting  facts. 

In  the  first  place,  the  War  of  1812s^seems  to  have  made 
no  serious  interruption  in  the  slow  but  sure  populating 
of  the  place.  Again,  though  there  is  some  little  evi- 
dence in  the  deeds  as  to  the  uncertain  status  of  the 
region  caused  by  the  unsettled  boundary,  we  are  not 
left  with  the  impression  that  the  community  was  not 
law-abiding  and  orderly. 

Still  further,  the  fact  is  noticeable  that  up  to  about 
1820  the  permanent  settlers  were  for  the  greater  part 
located  on  both  sides  of  the  lower  Indian  Stream  and 
on  the  Connecticut  river  near  their  confluence.  This 
is  what  might  be  expected,  for  this  district  is  not  only 
the  part  of  the  valley  first  approached  from  the  south, 
but  is  richer  in  fine  meadow  lands  than  any  other  part. 
The  visitor  who  ascends  the  Connecticut  from  Stewarts- 
town  and  Canaan  today  is  enraptured  at  first  sight  of 
the  valley  about  the  confluence,  where  are  situated 
some  of  the  most  beautiful  homes  in  America. 

By  1820,  according  to  the  usual  account,  there  were 
in  the  Indian  Stream  country  about  forty  settlers  and 
their  families.  In  1824  the  state  commission  which 
visited  the  region  to  investigate  reported  fifty -eight 
families,  a  population  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-five, 
and  eight  hundred  and  forty-seven  acres  of  improved 
lands,  out  of  a  total  area  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  acres.  The  average  value  per  acre,  which 
they  estimated  at  $5.00,  was  excessive,  if  we  take  the 
deed  prices  as  a  guide. ^^ 

In  the  years  following  1820  the  Indian  Stream  civili- 
zation spread  toward  the  upper  Connecticut  valley, 
and  the  Lake  Settlement  came  into  existence.  The 
political  center  at  length  formed  itself  midway  between 
the  Lake  Settlement  and  the  confluence  of  the  Connec- 
ticut and  Indian  Stream,  at  a  point  near  the  mouth  of 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  29 

Back  Lake  brook,  where  stands  the  present  village  of 
Pittsburg. 

We  may  consider  now  the  process  by  which  Indian 
Stream  developed  into  a  commonwealth. 

NOTES 

12,  pp.  8,  41,  ^■=3,p.3. 

23,  p.  16.  36  3^  p.  17. 

33,  p.  16.  "3  p,  14. 

4  2,  p.  24.  38  3,  p.  35. 

5  2,  p.  45.  39  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 

6  Report     of    Indian     Stream  ^^  2,  p.  39. 

Com.,  p.  203.  «  3,  p.  15. 

7  2,  p.  16.  *2  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 

8  2,  p.  23  «  3,  p.  22. 

9  2,  pp.  13,  14,  12,  33.  «  C,  p.  312. 

1"  2,  p.  18.  **"  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 

11  3,  pp.  4,  5,  «3,  p.  35. 

12  3,  p.  6.  «  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 
"3,  p.  19.  "4,  p.  7. 

"  C,  p.  227.  ^''^  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 

1^2,  pp.  14,  12.  "8  3,  p.  29. 

16  2,  p.  14.  "  C,  p.  240. 

17  Hist.  Coos  County  (W.  A.  »»  C,  p.  230. 

Fergusson    &    Co.,   Syra-  "  3,  p.  35. 

cuse,  1888),  p.  702.  "^  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 

18  2,  p.  33.  52  3^  p.  35. 

19  2,  p.  28.  53  c,  p.  232. 

20  2,  p.  35.  ^3,  p.  30. 
213,  p.  1.  65  3^  p.  30. 

22  3,  pp.  4,  9.  66  c,  p.  314. 

23  2,  p.  18.  67  4,  p.  8. 

2"  2,  p.  7.  68  c,  p.  224. 

"2,  p.  17.  69  c,  p.  250. 

26  2,  p.  26.  60  c,  p.  237. 
26"^  Coos  Co.,  p.  702.  61  c,  p.  232. 

27  2,  p.  29.  62  c,  p.  225. 

28  3,  p.  18.  63  c,  p.  242. 

29  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703.  64  c,  p.  251. 
3«  3,  p.  20.  65  c,  p.  236. 

31  2,  p.  22.  66  c,  p.  226. 

32  C,  p.  222.  67  c,  p.  246. 

33  3,  p.  20.  68  c,  p.  233. 

3*  3,  p.  21.  69  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 


CHAPTER  4 

Indian  Stream  Proprietary  Administration 

The  character  and  scope  of  administration  in  the 
Indian  Stream  country  prior  to  1827  must  be  judged  of 
almost  entirely  from  the  evidence  of  real  estate  trans- 
fers, and  from  certain  minutes  of  proprietors'  meetings 
which  fortunately  have  been  preserved. 

An  instrument  of  December  19,  1812,  will  serve  to 
indicate  the  existence  of  definite  rules  governing  the 
settlement  of  land.  It  refers  to  "common  and  undi- 
vided land  in  the  aforesaid  tract,  together  with  the 
proprietors'  right  of  pitching  said  land  agreeable  to  the 
regulations  and  votes  of  said  proprietors,  as  by  their 
records  may  fully  appear,  not  infringing  on  any  pitch  or 
settlement  already  made,  or  that  may  be  made  here- 
after, before  the  said  Gage,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  have 
pitched  or  made  settlement,  with  allowances  for  high- 
ways, which  pitches  are  to  be  made  agreeable  to  the 
rules  and  regulations  and  votes  of  said  proprietors, 
otherwise  to  take  proprietors'  allotment."^ 

This  may  be  interpreted  to  mean  that  anyone  who 
acquired  rights  to  common  and  undivided  lands  might 
pitch  upon  or  sell  the  right  to  pitch  upon  any  unoccu- 
pied lot,  and  acquire  title  up  to  the  amount  of  his 
holding. 

The  meager  minutes  of  the  proprietors'  meetings  are 
here  of  interest.     They  are  as  follows: 

Bedel's  &  Others'  Grant,  September  16th,  1811. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  said  grant,  duly  notified  and 
holden  agreeable  to  advertisement  at  the  house  of  David  Tyler. 

Present,  Moody  Bedel,  who  claims  1-3  of  the  whole  grant,  except 
1400  acres. 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  31 

David  Gibbs,  who  claims  1-3  of  tlie  whole  grant. 

James  Ladd,  who  claims  1-12  of  the  whole  grant,  except  3000 
acres,  under  Nathaniel  Wales. 

John  M.  Tillotson,  who  claims  1-12  and  1-24  of  the  whole  grant 
under  Nathaniel  Wales. 

John  Rowe,  who  claims  1-12  and  as  Atty.  1-24  under  said  Wales, 
except  1500  acres. 

Nathaniel  PerkiDs,  who  claims  two  hundred  acres  under  Nathaniel 
Wales. 

William  Morrison,  who  claims  250  acres  under  said  Wales. 

John  Haynes,  who  claims  2000  acres  under  said  Wales. 

William  Quimby,  who  claims  600  acres  under  said  Wales. 

Matthew  Greeley,  who  claims  1000  acres  under  Moody  Bedel. 
•  Samuel  Osborn,  who  claims  185  acres  under  Nathaniel  Wales. 

Said  meeting  being  opened,  proceeded. 

Voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting  till  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  of 
the  clock,  then  to  meet  at  this  place. 

It  was  accordingly  adjourned. 

Pr.  Moody  Bedel,  Moderator. 
Timothy  Bedel,  Clerk. 

17th  Sept.,  1811. 
Meeting  opened  according  to  adjournment.  Pr.  Moody  Bedel, 
Moderator.  Timothy  Bedel,  Clerk. 
Having  had  the  request  of  a  number  of  settlers,  which  is  as  follows, 
viz.:  We,  the  subscribers,  settlers,  and  persons  who  have  pitched 
and  made  some  beginnings  by  labouring  on  our  said  pitches  made 
on  Bedel's  Grant  under  the  proprietors  thereof,  hereby  request  that 
the  said  proprietors  confirm  us  in  the  peaceable  possession  of  our 
said  pitches,  respectively,  in  such  way  and  under  such  restrictions 
as  they  maj'  think  proper.     Dated  Sept.  16th,  1811. 

Signed  (here  follow  the  names  already  recited  on  p.  23.) 
Voted  that  the  above  or  foregoing  named  persons  be  quieted  in 
their  several  and  respective  pitches  of  one  hundred  acres  each,  if 
so  much  there  be,  and  pitches  hereafter  made  to  the  number  of 
forty,  including  the  above,  shall  hold  their  pitches  of  one  hundred 
acres  each  by  doing  duty  of  settlers,  wliich  is  to  clear  five  acres  of 
land,  and  produce  a  certificate  from  John  Rowe  that  the  duty  as 
aforesaid  is  done,  and  lodge  the  same  with  the  proprietors'  clerk, 
and  agree  to  make  a  road  or  highway  through  their  pitch  or  lot 
whenever  laid  out  by  the  proprietors,  and  thereto  requested,  and 
the  proprietors  may  pitch  by  doing  as  aforesaid  at  any  time  till  a 


32  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

draft  takes  place,  and  hold  their  pitches  in  severalty,  said  pitches  or 
lots  to  be  laid  out  under  the  direction  of  the  committee  for  laying 
out  the  town  of  Liberty,  which  pitches  as  aforesaid  must  be  done 
within  one  year  from  this  date. 

Bedel's  and  Associates'  Grant,  Novr.  7th,  1815. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  said  proprietors  of  said  grant  duly  holden 
by  adjournment  at  the  dwelling-house  of  David  Tyler.     Present — 

Article  3rd.  Voted  to  confirm  the  doings  of  their  former  meeting 
of  Sept.  16,  1811. 

Article  4.  Chose  Nathaniel  Perkins  to  serve  as  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  fill  the  place  of  John  Rowe,  absent. 

Article  5th.  Voted  to  give  all  persons  who  have  made  actual 
pitches  according  to  their  vote  of  Sept.  17th,  1811,  one  year  from 
this  day  to  perform  the  duty  of  settlers  as  therein  requested,  and 
that  all  certificates  concerning  the  same  signed  by  Nathaniel  Per- 
kins shall  be  good,  and  voted  as  if  given  by  John  Rowe  as  therein 
requested. 

Bedel's  and  Others'  Grant,  Monday,  27  th  October,  1817. 
Present.     Nathaniel  Perkins,  Moderator. 

John  Haynes,  Pro (prie tors')  Clerk. 

John  Haynes,  of  said  grant,  exhibited  the  following  certificate  or 
adjustment:  2d  Novr.,  1816.  I  hereby  certify  that  John  Haynes 
has  cleared  more  than  five  acres  of  land  on  a  meadow  lot  of  land 
situated  in  Bedel's  Grant  (so-called).  Said  lot  of  (land)  lies  on  the 
westerly  side  of  Connecticut  River  in  a  bow  of  said  river  and  below 
the  streats  (so-called)  not  far  from  the  middle  of  Dade  Water,  and 
adjoins  southerly  on  land  known  as  the  Palmer  lot.  Nathaniel 
Perkins,  Pro[prietors']  Committee. 

Voted  that  the  foregoing  certificate  be  laid  over  till  the  next 
meeting  of  said  proprietors. 

Bedel's  and  Others'  Grant,  Ss.,  26th  Octr.,  1818. 

Met  according  to  adjournment  at  the  dwelling-house  of  Abner 
Hyland,  resident  in  this  place.  Present — Nathaniel  Perkins, 
Moderator.     John  Haynes,  Pro.  Clerk. 

Took  up,  read,  and  considered  the  certificate  of  Nathaniel  Perkins, 
Proprietors'  Committee,  certifying  that  John  Haynes  had  cleared 
more  than  five  acres  of  land  on  a  certain  lot  of  land  therein  described 
and  exhibited  by  said  John  Haynes  to  said  proprietors  at  their  last 
meeting  and  voted  to  be  laid  over  to  the  present  meeting  of  said 


THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  33 

proprietors,  and  after  due  consideration,  voted  that  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  said  John  Haynes  clearing  said  five  acres  of  land 
or  more  as  mentioned  in  said  certificate,  doing  duties  on  said  grant, 
&c.,  to  give  and  grant  to  him,  the  said  John  Haynes,  his  heirs  and 
assigns  forever  the  following  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate  in  said 
grant,  bounded  as  follows  (viz.) :  beginning  at  a  turn  of  said  river 
about  six  or  eight  rods  above  the  mouth  of  the  Gage  Brook  (so- 
called),  thence  following  up  said  river  as  it  now  runs  a  suflficient 
distance  to  make  the  distance  from  the  bound  begun  at  on  a  straight 
line  one  half  mile,  thence  running  north  one  hundred  rods,  thence 
west  one  half  mile,  then  running  south  to  the  first  mentioned  bound, 
meaning  to  contain  one  hundred  acres,  with  the  allowance  for  high- 
ways. 

These  extracts  were  made  and  recorded  for  the  sake 
of  John  Haynes's  claim  to  the  land  in  question. ^ 

Another  record  of  proprietors'  business  is  as  follows: 

An  assessment  of  a  tax  of  five  mills  on  each  acre  of  land  laying  in 
common  in  Bedel's  and  Others'  Grant  of  lands  lying  north  of  the 
forty-fifth  degree  of  north  latitude,  supposed  to  contain  one  hundred 
and  sixty  thousand  acres,  made  agreeable  to  vote  of  the  proprietors 
at  a  proprietors'  meeting  held  Septr.  1811,  also  Novm.,  181J,  to 
raise  money  to  make  roads  and  surveys  in  said  grant. 

No.  Acres  Proprietors'  Names  Amt.  of  Tax 

53,333 Moody  Bedel $266.66 

47,333 David  Gibbs 236.66 

13,333 John  M.  Tillotson 66.66 

13,333 for  Thomas  Cutts 66.66 

100 Enoch  Emery 50 

11,000 David  Barnett 55 .  00 

4,000 Abner  Hyland 20 .  00 

1,400 John  Haynes 7 .  00 

1,000 James  Heath 5.00 

10,333 the  heirs  of  James  Ladd  .  .     51 .66 

500 Nathaniel  Perkins 2 .  50 

1,000 Dudley  Carleton 5 .  00 

300 Abel  Bennett 1 .  50 

250 William  Morrison 1 .  25 

600 William  Quimby 3.00 

5,233 the  heirs  of  Jas.  Treadwav      26 .  16 


34  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

No.  Acres  Proprietors'  Names  Amt.  of  Tax 

500 Daniel  Heath 2.50 

200 Daniel  Barnes 1 .  00 

2,600 Ebenezer  Fletcher 13.00 

1,000 William  K  Smith 5.00 

500 Mary  L.  Ladd 2.50 

500 Betsey  G.  Ladd 2.50 

100 John  Cogswell 50 

1,000 James  Turner 5 .  00 


$847 . 21 
Amounting  to  eight  hundred  forty-seven  dollars  and  twenty-one 
cents. 

Oct.  25,  1819. 

John  M.  Tillotson,  Assessor. 

United  States  of  America,  Bedel  &  Others'  Grant, 

October  25,  1819. 
To  Nathaniel  Perkins,  Collector,  Greeting:  You  are  hereby 
authorized  and  required  to  collect  and  pay  over  the  several  sums 
set  to  each  person's  name  on  or  before  the  third  Tuesday  of  June 
next  to  the  treasurer  of  said  grant,  agreeable  to  the  laws  now  in 
force. 

Given  under  our  hand  and  seal  the  day  and  year  above. 

John  M.  Tillotson,  Assessor. 
John  Hatnes,  Props.  Cleric.^ 

Whether  this  assessment  was  levied  in  1811  and  1815 
cannot  be  ascertained.  Perhaps  the  inference  is  not 
unwarranted  that  the  collection  of  the  assessment  as 
voted  in  1811  and  1815  had  proved  undesirable  or 
impossible,  and  that  the  above  minutes  represent  a  still 
further  attempt  to  encourage  settlement  by  the  im- 
proving of  the  highways  and  the  laying  out  of  lands. 

During  the  years  1820-1822,  probably  as  a  consequence 
of  this  assessment,  two  surveyors,  Moses  Davis  and 
Jonathan  Eastman,  were  employed  by  the  proprietors' 
association  to  mark  out  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
lots  of  one  hundred  and  two  hundred  acres,  which  were 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  35 

then  offered  in  alternate  holdings  to  those  who  should 
do  settlers'  duty,  the  nature  of  such  duty  no  doubt 
being  the  same  as  that  described  in  the  above  minutes 
of  the  proprietors'  meeting  of  September  17,  1811. 
The  land  thus  laid  out  was  probably  in  the  region  far- 
ther upstream,  near  and  including  the  Lake  District, 
for  the  land  transfers  from  1820  on,  as  we  have  seen 
(pp.  25-27),  indicate  the  settlement  of  that  neighbor- 
hood. 

In  June,  1824,  the  legislature  of  New  Hampshire  had 
its  attention  called  to  the  settlements  at  Indian  Stream, 
which  were  encroachments  on  lands  claimed  by  the 
state  as  public  domain,  being  north  of  forty-five  de- 
grees. A  commission  was  appointed  to  investigate, 
and  made  due  report.  The  state  repudiated  the  claims 
of  the  proprietors  advanced  on  the  basis  of  the  deed  of 
the  Indian,  Philip,  but,  in  consideration  of  labor  per- 
formed and  hardships  endured,  quieted  the  settlers  in 
the  amount  of  two  hundred  acres  each,  except  Nathaniel 
Perkins  and  Jeremiah  Tabor,  who  were  allowed  to  hold 
seven  hundred  each.^  All  other  portions  of  land  the 
state  reserved  for  itself.^ 

NOTES 

1  3,  p.  4. 

2  3,  pp.  19-21. 

3  2,  p.  39. 

*  Aldrich,  p.  379;  Hist.  Coos  Co.  p.  707. 

^  Coolidge  and  Mansfield,  Hist,  and  Descr.  of  New  England,  p. 
390. 


CHAPTER  5 
Indian  Stream  Democracy 

The  action  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  in  1824 
had  Httle  or  no  effect  upon  the  manner  of  administra- 
tion in  the  Indian  Stream  country,  though  it  made  for 
stabihty  in  the  affairs  of  the  community.  The  govern- 
ment of  the  district  continued  to  be  in  the  hands  of  its 
inhabitants,  and  the  state  seems  to  have  paid  almost 
no  attention  for  a  period  of  ten  years  to  the  territory 
it  had  claimed.  Whatever  change  took  place  in  its 
control  was  due  to  growth  in  population  and  change 
in  the  personnel  of  the  property  holders,  rather  than  to 
interference  from  outside  authority. 

That  an  association  of  proprietors  still  continued  to 
exist  is  proven  by  the  occurrence  of  the  signature  of 
John  Haynes,  proprietors'  clerk,  up  to  March  5,  1832, 
when  John  A.  Mitchell  is  voted  clerk,  and  given  also 
the  duties  of  recorder  of  deeds.  The  above  signature 
of  John  Haynes,  with  occasional  variations — "Clerk," 
"Clerk  of  said  Grant,"  "Clerk  of  said  Territory," 
"Register  of  Deeds," — begins  on  November  7,  1815, 
and  is  interrupted  only  from  September  27,  1827,  to 
November  23,  1828,  when  the  signature  of  "David 
Mitchell,  Clerk,"  appears,  and  on  February  24,  1831, 
when  the  name  of  Reuben  Sawyer  appears  for  a  single 
time.^ 

It  seems  probable  that,  with  the  interference  of  the 
state  and  the  consequent  diminution  of  proprietary 
right  on  the  part  of  holders  of  common  and  undivided 
land,  the  association  of  proprietors  on  the  old  basis  of 
mere  claim  to  shares  in  the  common  estate  changed 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  37 

into  an  association  of  proprietors  by  right  of  actual 
settlement  and  possession  of  land  with  definite  bounds. 
The  new  proprietary  body  would  naturally  consist  at 
first  of  those  settlers  who  had  been  quieted  by  the  state, 
and  would  not  differ  very  greatly  from  the  old,  as  most 
of  the  former  proprietary  body  had  been  resident.  The 
new  association  of  proprietors  was  therefore  equivalent 
to  an  association  of  all  the  citizens  of  Indian  Stream 
into  a  commonwealth.  Changes  in  it  or  additions  to 
it  might  occur  by  reason  of  transfer  of  land  and  the 
pitching  of  new  land. 

Land  transfers  continued,  as  we  have  seen,  and  pitches 
were  also  made.  The  improvement  of  two  acres  by 
Zaccheus  Clough  in  1825  no  doubt  had  to  do  with  a 
pitch  ;2  and  Nathaniel  Snow  pitched  on  land  in  the 
Lake  District  as  late  as  January  1,  1829.^  In  the 
absence  of  supervision,  or  even  interest,  on  the  part 
of  the  state  or  of  Coos  county,  it  is  easily  understood 
how  the  right  of  pitching  and  transfer  in  the  old  manner 
might  still  be  recognized. 

In  whatever  manner  the  Indian  Stream  democracy 
was  first  developed,  the  year  1827  affords  evidence  of  a 
considerable  stability  of  relation  among  the  settlers. 
The  inventory  for  taxes  for  this  year  still  exists,  and 
indicates  a  carefully  conceived  method  of  assessment 
and  taxation,  too  complete  to  have  been  the  first 
attempt  at  system.  The  first  six  pages  of  the  manu- 
script which  contains  this  and  subsequent  inventories 
are  missing.  It  is  likely  that  they  contained  the 
inventories  for  at  least  one  or  two  preceding  years,  and 
the  minutes  of  one  or  two  meetings. 

The  following  items,  chosen  from  the  inventory  for 
taxes  for  1827,^  will  serve  to  indicate  its  character, 
and  at  the  same  time  aflFord  some  basis  on  which  to 


38 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 


estimate  the  character  of  the  government  which  lay 
back  of  it: 


t 
o 

O 

02 

o 

02 

o 

Ph 

bC 

Ephraim  Aldrich 

1 

2 

1 

5 

$3.30 

Abial  Holt 

1 

l,3w. 

2,3w. 

3 

4,2w. 

7 

5 

4.10 

Archelaus  Cummings 

1 

2 

2 
2,4w. 

6 

l,3w. 
4,2w. 

25 

10 

11.20 

Jonathan  Hartwell 

1 

2 

3 

l,2w. 

8 

1 

4.55 

The  peculiarities  of  this  tax  inventory  will  be  more 
easily  understood  after  a  reading  of  the  following  "Act 
to  establish  the  rate  at  which  polls  and  ratable  estates 
shall  be  valued  in  making  and  assessing  direct  and  other 
taxes  in  this  place."  This  act  was  not  passed  until 
March  11,  1833,  but  it  is  plainly  the  tradition  of  a 
scheme  for  assessment  and  taxation  fully  formed  and 
in  operation  for  at  least  a  year  previous  even  to  1827, 
as  may  be  demonstrated  by  the  application  of  the  act 
to  any  one  of  the  above  names.     The  act  reads: 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
Assembly  convened  that  hereafter  all  public  taxes  shall  be  assessed 
on  the  polls  and  ratable  estates  in  manner  following,  namely:  each 
male  poll,  from  twenty-one  years  to  seventy,  except  ordained  min- 
isters, paupers,  and  idiots,  to  be  valued  at  one  dollar  and  thirty 
cents.  All  stallions  or  stud  horses  that  have  been  wintered  three 
winters  each,  at  two  dollars,  other  horses  and  mares  that  have  been 
wintered  five  winters  each,  at  seventy  cents,  other  horses  and  mares 
that  have  been  wintered  four  winters  only,  each  at  fifty  cents,  other 
horses  and  mares  that  have  been  wintered  three  winters  only,  each 
at  thirty  cents,  other  horses  and  mares  that  have  been  wintered  two 
winters  only,  at  ten  cents  each.  Oxen  that  have  been  wintered 
five  winters,  each  at  forty  cents,  oxen  that  have  been  wintered 
four  winters  only,  each  at  thirty  cents,  cows  that  have  been  win- 
tered four  winters,  each  at  twenty  cents.  All  neat  stock  that  has 
been  wintered  three  winters  onl}'',  each  at  ten  cents,  all  neat  stock 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 


39 


that  has  been  wintered  two  winters  only,  each  at  five  cents.  Reck- 
oning the  winter  to  begin  at  the  first  day  of  December  and  to  end 
the  last  day  of  March.  Arable  land,  accounting  so  much  for  an 
acre  as  will  produce  twenty-five  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  or  other 
grain  equivalent,  one  year  with  another,  at  twenty  cents.  Mowing 
land,  accoimting  so  much  for  an  acre  as  will  produce  one  ton  of 
English  hay,  or  other  equivalent,  one  year  with  another,  at  twenty 
cents.  Pasture  land,  accounting  so  much  for  an  acre  as  will  keep 
one  cow,  one  year  with  another,  four  acres,  each  acre  at  five  cents. 
Mills,  distilleries,  and  other  buildings  to  be  estimated  at  half  of  one 
per  cent  of  their  real  value."" 

The  subjoined  compilation,  made  from  the  manu- 
script containing  the  inventories  for  taxes,  is  also 
illuminating : 


w 

CO 

^ 

a> 

o 

O 

% 

4-> 

o 

CO 

1 

2 

0) 
X 

1827 

62 

51 

11 

48 

84 

62 

341 

94.5 

1 

$183.83 

1828 

68 

56 

18 

44 

102 

135 

524 

237 

57 

57 

293 . 93 

1829 

75 

58 

19 

52 

103 

62 

577 

313 

63 

57 

306 . 94 

1832 

89 

79 

36 

55 

133 

146 

523 

319 

105.5 

369.34 

The  inventories  for  1831  and  1833  are  missing,  and 
those  of  1830  and  1834  are  not  wholly  satisfactory  as 
evidence. 

The  indication  of  a  more  or  less  stable  form  of  gov- 
ernment which  is  to  be  seen  in  these  inventories  is 
supplemented  by  the  evidence  afforded  by  the  minutes 
of  a  meeting  held  on  March  5,  1832.  To  these  we  shall 
refer  later. 

NOTES 
1  Proprietors'  Records,  passim. 
2C,  p.  232. 
» C,  p.  250. 
M,p.8. 
sC,  p.  19. 


CHAPTER  6 

The  Parkers  at  Indian  Stream 

Joshua  Parker,  Jr.,  elder  brother  of  Luther  Parker, 
came  to  the  Indian  Stream  country  in  1820.  He  was 
then  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  a  veteran  of  the 
War  of  1812.  He  was  one  of  the  earhest  settlers  in 
the  Lake  District,  near  the  southwest  end  of  First  Con- 
necticut lake,  and  had  land  to  the  amount  of  ninety- 
seven  acres,  described  as  follows: 

".  .  .  land  situated  at  Indian  Stream  aforesaid,  viz.,  beginning 
at  the  shore  of  Lake  Connecticut  (so-called),  thence  running  north 
25  degrees  west,  on  the  side  line  {?)  of  land  of  Joshua  Parker,  Senior, 
and  Luther  Parker,  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  rods  to  a  birch 
tree,  thence  running  seventy  degrees  east  on  the  line  of  land  of 
Luther  Parker  and  Abial  Holt,  Senior,  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight 
rods  to  a  spruce  tree,  thence  twenty  degrees  west  one  hundred  rods 
to  the  Lake  shore  to  the  bound  begun  at.  "^ 

In  the  absence  of  further  evidence  it  is  to  be  assumed 
that  Joshua  Parker  acquired  this  land  through  per- 
formance of  settler's  duty  on  his  arrival  in  1820. 

John  Parker,  mentioned  by  the  Fergusson  history  as 
arriving  in  1822,  was  no  immediate  relative  of  the 
Temple  Parkers. ^  His  name  does  not  appear  in  the 
inventories  for  taxes,  or  in  the  citizens'  roll  of  1832, 
though  in  a  deposition  of  1836  a  John  Parker  is  men- 
tioned as  of  Indian  Stream  and  the  neighborhood  of 
Hereford,  the  nearest  town  in  Canada.^  In  1827,  how- 
ever, Phineas  Willard  of  Indian  Stream  pays  taxes 
for  the  Parker  place.  It  may  be  inferred  that  John 
Parker  had  moved  from  Indian  Stream  soon  after 
1822.     There  is  no  deed  containing  his  name.     It  may 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  41 

also  be  inferred  with  some  reason  that  John  Parker  was 
a  descendant  of  Thomas  Parker  of  Redding,  through 
Nathaniel,  Stephen,  Stephen,  Jr.,  and  Caleb,  soldier  of 
the  Revolution,  who  was  born  at  Shrewsbury,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  1760,  moved  to  Brattleborough,  Vermont, 
in  1785,  and  in  1800  went  to  Stukeley,  one  of  the 
eastern  townships  of  Lower  Canada,  where  he  died  in 
1826,  the  father  of  eight  sons  and  three  daughters.* 
John  Parker  might  have  been  grandson  of  Caleb 
Parker  by  one  of  the  older  sons.  There  may  also  be 
some  significance  in  the  paying  of  taxes  for  the  Parker 
place  by  Phineas  Willard.  Nathan  Parker,  son  of 
Caleb  of  Stukeley,  married  Elizabeth  Willard,  daughter 
of  Major  Samuel  Willard,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Stuke- 
ley.^ John  Parker  and  Phineas  Willard  may  have 
been  related  through  this  marriage,  and  may  have  come 
to  Indian  Stream  together. 

Joshua  Parker,  Sr.,  appears  on  the  tax  roll  of  1827, 
and  continues  until  1835.  He  is  assessed  no  poll  tax, 
however,  and  was  never  resident  at  Indian  Stream. 
When  he  acquired  title  is  unknown.  Perhaps  Joshua 
Parker,  Jr.,  made  pitches  for  both  at  the  same  time  in 
1820.  It  is  also  possible  that  his  land  was  acquired 
by  purchase  on  a  visit  which  he  is  known  to  have  made 
to  Indian  Stream  in  1825  or  1826,  after  Luther  Parker 
had  begun  to  teach  school  at  Stratford,  and  before  his 
marriage  and  removal  to  Indian  Stream.*  Again, 
Joshua,  Jr.,  may  have  pitched  for  his  father  after  the 
visit. 

*  This  visit  was  probably  in  the  summer  or  autumn,  Halting  at 
Stratford  on  his  way  to  Indian  Stream,  Joshua  Parker  came  to  the 
door  of  the  Baldwin  home,  and  asked  for  a  drink.  He  was  ad- 
mitted, and  presently  a  fresh-faced  girl  entered  the  room  with 
water.  Mr.  Parker  looked  at  her  for  a  moment,  and  then  asked: 
"Are  you  Lettie  French?"  "Yes,  sir,"  was  the  response.  "Well," 
answered    he,    "my    name    is    Parker — Joshua    Parker.     Luther 


42  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Luther  Parker  and  Alletta  French  were  married  in 
February,  1827,  and  were  established  at  Indian  Stream 
early  enough  for  his  name  to  appear  in  the  inventory 
for  taxes  of  that  year.  It  is  probable  that  he  had 
visited  the  place  at  least  once  before  this,  perhaps  in 
the  intervals  of  his  duties  at  Stratford. 

The  holdings  of  the  three  Parkers  from  Temple  were 
all  in  the  Lake  Settlement  adjoining  each  other,  and 
were  probably  all  acquired  through  performance  of 
settler's  duty. 

The  land  which  Luther  Parker  originally  settled  on 
is  not  described  further  than  in  the  description  of 
Joshua  Parker,  Jr.'s,  land  in  1830,  which  shows  that 
the  latter's  holding  was  bounded  east-by-north  for  one 
hundred  and  fifty -seven  rods  by  the  land  of  Joshua 
Parker,  Sr.,  and  south-by-east  for  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  rods  by  the  land  of  Luther  Parker  and  Abial  Holt, 
and  was  near  the  shore  of  Connecticut  lake. 

In  the  inventory  for  taxes  for  1827  the  names  of 
the  Parkers  appear  as  follows:  ® 

Joshua  Parker,  Jr.,  1  poll,  2  oxen,  2  acres  of  mowing $2.10 

Joshua  Parker,  4  acres  of  mowing 80 

Luther  Parker,  1  poll,  2  oxen,  3w.,  1  cow,  4  acres  mowing.  .  .     2.50 

In  1828,  the  inventory  shows:  ^ 

Joshua  Parker,  Jr.,  1  poll,  2  oxen,  5w.,  2  acres  mowing $2. 10 

Joshua  Parker,  4  acres  mowing 80 

Luther  Parker,  1  poll,  2  oxen,  2  cows,  7  acres  mowing 3 .90 

The  inventory  for  1829  shows:  ^ 

Joshua  Parker,  Jr.,  1  poll,  2  cows,  1  neat,  3w.,  1  acre  mow- 
ing, 2  acres  of  pasture,  1  person $2.10 

Joshua  Parker,  4  acres  mowing 80 

Luther  Parker,  1  poll,  2  oxen,  2  cows,  1  neat,  3w.,  10  acres 

mowing,  2  acres  pasture,  3  persons 4 .  70 

Parker  is  my  son."     The  girl  blushed  with  embarrassment,  and  ran 
out  of  the  room. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  43 

Besides  the  fact  that  Joshua  Parker,  Sr.,  is  non- 
resident, the  above  items  show  that  Joshua  Parker,  Jr., 
is  unmarried,  and  that  Luther  and  Alletta  Parker  liave 
their  first  child.  This  is  Charles  Durham  Parker,  born 
December  27,  1827. 

The  inventory  for  1830  shows:  ^ 

Joshua  Parker,  Jr.,  1  poll,  2  oxen,  4w.,  2  cows,  3  acres  mowing,  2 

acres  pasture. 
Joshua  Parker,  4  acres  mowing. 
Luther  Parker,  13  acres  mowing. 

For  this  year  neither  the  individual  nor  the  total 
amount  of  taxes  is  recorded. 

On  August  24,  1830,  Persis  Euseba,  the  second  child 
of  Luther  Parker,  was  born.  On  December  30  Joshua 
Parker,  Jr.,  executed  a  deed  of  his  ninety-seven  acres 
to  Zebedee  Thayer  of  Bethlehem,  New  Hampshire, 
who  became  a  resident  of  Indian  Stream.^".  The  name 
of  Joshua  Parker,  Jr.,  disappears  from  the  Indian 
Stream  tax  roll  from  this  time.  One  reason  for  his 
return  to  Temple  is  to  be  seen  in  the  death  of  Edwin 
Parker,  his  younger  brother,  on  July  7  of  the  same 
year,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  an  event  which 
left  the  Parker  home  at  Temple  with  but  one  son. 
Another  reason  is  to  be  seen  in  the  disadvantages  of 
the  rigorous  Indian  Stream  climate. ^^ 

The  tax  inventory  for  1831  is  missing.  That  for 
1832  shows  the  following  :^2 

Joshua  Parker,  4  acres  mowing $ .  65 

Luther  Parker,  1  poll,  1  horse,  3  cows,  1  neat,  3w.,   6  acres 

mowing,  5  acres  pasture,  1  acre  tillage,  stock  in  trade,  $400  $5.41 

The  rate  this  year  was  eighty-two  cents  to  the  dollar. 
Luther  Parker's  stock  in  trade  was  in  a  store  in  the 
Lake  Settlement,  probably  identical  with  his  dwelling- 
house. 


44  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

The  inventory  for  1833  is  missing.  On  March  16 
of  this  year  Ellen  Augusta,  the  third  child  of  Luther 
and  Alletta  Parker,  was  born  in  the  house  at  the  Lake 
Settlement. 

The  tax  inventory  for  1834  shows:  ^^ 

Joshua  Parker,  2  acres  mowing,  4  acres  pasture $.52 

L.  and  A.  Parker,  2  polls,  1  cow,  mill  and  house,  $1.25,  stock 

in  trade,  $1.20 4.74 

L.  and  A.Parker,  for  the  Lake  farm,  4  cows,  1  neat,  3w.,  1  neat, 
2w.,  4  acres  mowing,  ^  acre  tillage,  2  acres  pasture,  half 
house,  $.15,  stock  in  trade,  $ .  46 1 .  83 

The  A.  Parker  of  this  inventory  is  Asa,  younger 
brother  of  Luther,  born  in  1810.  His  arrival  at  Indian 
Stream  was  probably  after  the  withdrawal  of  Joshua 
Parker,  Jr. 

The  tax  for  stock  in  trade  appears  against  every  name 
on  the  roll  for  this  year,  and  so  does  not  necessarily 
have  reference  to  merchandise  for  sale.  In  the  case  of 
the  Parkers,  however,  it  has  to  do  with  such  merchan- 
dise, for  we  have  seen  that  Luther  Parker  had  stock  in 
trade  to  the  amount  of  $400  in  1832,  when  a  like  item 
was  not  set  down  against  all  names,  and  in  1834  he 
owned,  in  company  with  Asa  Parker,  a  mill  and  house. 
The  reference  to  a  half  house  on  the  Lake  farm  is  not 
clear.  It  is  possible  that  the  Parkers,  who  left  the 
Lake  Settlement  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  occupied 
only  half  of  the  Lake  farm  house,  and  let  the  remainder. 
The  tax  on  mowed  and  pasture  land,  and  on  stock, 
shows  that  they  operated  the  farm,  whether  continu- 
ously in  residence  on  it  or  not.  This  would  not  make 
it  impossible  to  operate  the  mill  during  the  same  year. 

Luther  Parker  engaged  in  two  real  estate  transac- 
tions in  1834.  On  January  14  Zebedee  Thayer,  who 
in  1830  had  bought  Joshua  Parker,  Jr.'s,  ninety-seven 
acres  at  the  lake,  and  deeded  it  the  same  day  to  Levi 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  45 

Thayer,  transferred  to  Luther  Parker  forty  acres  in  the 
same  Lake  neighborhood,  described  as  follows : 

".  .  .  beginning  at  the  northeasterly  corner  of  Abial  Holt's 
lot,  thence  running  on  the  easterly  line  of  said  Holt's  to  the  north- 
westerly corner  of  the  Benjamin  Fletcher  lot  (so-called),  thence  on 
the  northerly  line  of  said  lot  to  the  westerly  line  of  Seth  Blood's  lot, 
thence  on  the  westerly  line  of  said  Blood's  lot  to  the  northwesterly 
corner  of  said  Blood's  lot,  thence  on  a  straight  line  to  the  north- 
easterly corner  of  said  Holt's  lot  first  mentioned,  containing  forty 
acres  more  or  less."^^ 

The  second  transaction  concerned  both  Luther  and 
Asa  Parker.  It  took  place  ten  days  after  the  Thayer 
transfer.  On  the  24th  of  January  John  and  Clark  J. 
Haynes,  both  of  Indian  Stream,  Esquires, 

"for  and  in  consideration  of  four  hundred  dollars  to  us  in 
hand  before  delivery  hereof  well  and  truly  paid  by  Luther  Parker  and 
Asa  Parker,  both  now  of  said  Indian  Stream  (traders),  the  receipt 
whereof  we  do  hereby  acknowledge,  have  released,  remissed,  and 
quitclaimed  and  do  by  these  presents  herebj'  release,  remiss,  and 
forever  quitclaim  all  our  right,  title,  interest,  claim,  or  demand  we 
have  in  and  unto  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  land,  together  with 
the  saw  mill,  mill  saw,  irons,  and  all  the  water  privileges  adjoining 
said  land,  described  as  follows  (viz.),  situated  in  said  Indian  Stream 
Territory  and  the  bounds  of  the  first  piece  or  parcel  beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  Back  Lake  Brook  so-called,  thence  running  up  the 
middle  of  said  brook  about  twelve  and  one  half  rods  opposite  to 
a  stake  and  stones  standing  on  the  west  side  of  said  Brook,  thence 
running  a  northeasterly  course  about  22  rods  to  a  stake  and  stones 
standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Zebulon  Flan- 
ders to  Ebenezer  Fletcher's,  thence  crossing  said  road  and  running 
north  six  degrees  east  nineteen  rods  to  a  stake  and  stones,  thence 
west  six  degrees  north  about  fifty-eight  rods  to  a  stake  and  stones 
on  the  line  dividing  the  lots  number  eight  and  number  nine  accord- 
ing to  Ladd's  survey,  thence  south  six  degrees  west  on  said  division 
line  to  said  road  as  noted  and  laid  out  by  a  committee  in  A.  D. 
1830,  thence  westerly  following  down  said  road  on  the  south  side 
thereof  about  sixty-four  rods  to  the  west  line  of  said  lot  number 
eight,  it  being  the  lot  on  which  Samuel  Osborn  now  lives,  thence 
south  six  degrees  west  on  the  line  which  divides  said  lot  number 


46  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

eight  from  Ebenezer  Fletcher's  land,  called  his  mill  lot,  to  Connect- 
icut River,  thence  up  said  river  such  a  course  and  direction  as  to 
contain  and  cover  all  the  water  privileges  for  mills  and  other 
machinery  adjoining  said  land  to  the  bounds  begun  at,  meaning 
hereby  to  sell  and  convey  twenty  acres  of  land,  exclusive  of  the 
road,  ten  acres  off  of  the  south  end  of  said  lot  number  eight,  and  ten 
acres  off  of  the  southwesterly  corner  of  lot  number  nine,  according 
to  said  Ladd's  survey,  be  the  same  more  or  less,  and  also  another 
piece  or  parcel  of  land  containing  one  half  acre  by  measure,  on  which 
Elijah  Sawyer  now  lives  and  holds  by  purchase  of  said  Samuel 
Osborn,  together  with  the  house  and  all  the  privileges  and  appur- 
tenances to  the  same  belonging.  "^^ 

This  house  and  mill  property  was  located  on  the 
west  side  of  Back  Lake  brook,  where  it  flows  into  the 
Connecticut  river,  about  seventy-five  rods  to  the  north 
of  where  the  present  post  office  of  Pittsburg  stands. 
Still  farther  down  the  Connecticut  was  Fletcher's  mill, 
and  the  half  mile  or  so  between  the  Fletcher  and  Parker 
places,  occupied  now  by  Pittsburg,  was  the  center  of 
interest  for  Indian  Stream  during  the  two  years  and 
some  months  of  Luther  Parker's  residence  there. 

To  become  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  which 
make  these  years  important,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
return  to  March  5,  1832. 

NOTES 

1  C,  p.  225. 

2  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  703. 

3  Report  of  Indian  Stream  Com.,  pp.  226-229. 

*  Something   about   the   Ancestors    of   Captain    Caleb   Parker. 
Detroit:  Wm.  Graham's  Steam  Presses,  1877. 
6  lUd. 
6  4,  p.  8. 
T  4,  p.  10. 

8  4,  p.  18. 

9  4,  p.  22. 
i"C,  p.  225. 

"  Joshua  Parker,  Jr.'s,  field  of  oats  ripened  one  year  about  the 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  47 

last  of  September,  and  was  covered  by  a  snowstorm  before  he  could 
harvest  it. 

12  4,  p.  24. 

13  4,  p.  36. 

"  C,  p.  289. 

"  C,  pp.  291-292. 


CHAPTER  7 
Indian  Stream  Territory,  U.  S.  A. 

The  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  March  5,  1832,  are  as 
follows : 

Indian  Stream  Territory,  alias  Bedel's  Grant,  March  5,  1832. 

The  inhabitants  of  said  Territory  met  agreeable  to  notice. 

Opened  meeting  by  reading  warrant  by  the  Clerk. 

1st,  Chose  David  Mitchell  Moderator. 
John  Haynes,  Clerk. 

2nd,  Chose  John  A.  Mitchell  Clerk. 

3rd,  Voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting  for  half  an  hour. 

The  meeting  was  opened  according  to  adjournment. 

4th,  Voted  that  the  inhabitants  on  the  west  side  of  Indian  Stream 
be  considered  as  legal  voters  as  formerly  until  some  other  regula- 
tion take  place. 

5th,  Voted  to  proceed  to  the  choice  of  judges. 

6th,  Voted  to  reconsider  the  vote  to  proceed  to  the  choice  of  judges. 

7th,  Voted  to  proceed  to  the  choice  of  judges. 

8th,  Chose  Mr.  Abner  Hyland  first  judge. 

9th,  Chose  Mr.  Burleigh  Blood  second  judge. 

10th,  Chose  Mr.  Clark  J.  Haynes  third  judge. 

11th,  Voted  to  proceed  to  the  choice  of  a  sheriff. 

12th,  Chose  Mr.  Herman  Bachelder  for  sheriff. 

13th,  Voted  to  choose  in  each  highway  district  one  man  to  super- 
intend at  funerals  and  act  as  sexton. 

14th,  Chose  Mr.  Luther  Parker  in  the  district  at  the  Lake. 

15th,  Chose  Mr.  David  Mitchell  in  the  next  district. 

16th,  Chose  Mr.  Reuben  Sawyer  in  the  next  district. 

17th,  Chose  Mr.  Clark  J.  Haynes  in  the  next  district. 

18th,  Chose  Elijah  C.  Sawyer  in  the  next  district. 

19th,  Chose  Abner  Hyland  in  the  next  district. 

20th,  Chose  Jeremy  George  in  the  next  district. 

21st,  Chose  Jolm  A.  Mitchell  to  take  acknowledgment  of  deeds. 

22nd,  Voted  that  the  clerk  be  recorder  of  deeds. 

23rd,  Voted  to  choose  three  men  as  fence  viewers. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 


49 


24th,  Chose  Mr.  Burleigh  Blood  first. 

25th,  Chose  Mr.  Jonathan  Hartwell  second. 

26th,  Chose  Mr.  Nathan  Judd  thhd. 

27th,  Voted  to  choose  a  committee  of  three  to  see  what  shall  be 
done  with  regard  to  paying  duties  on  property  carried  out  of  this 
place. 

28th,  Chose  Mr.  Luther  Parker,  Mr.  Clark  J.  Haynes,  and  Nathan 
Judd  for  said  committee. 

29th,  Voted  to  raise  taxes  in  the  usual  way. 

30th,  Voted  to  raise  three  hundred  dollars  highway  tax. 

31st,  Voted  that  each  able-bodied  man  be  allowed  one  dollar  a 
day  for  each  day's  work  done  from  the  first  day  of  June  to  the  first 
day  of  September. 

32rd,  Voted  that  before  and  after  said  time  50  cents  a  day 
only  be  allowed. 

33rd,  Chose  Luther  Parker      , 


34th, 

"     John  A.  Mitchell    > 
"    Ross  HajTies 

Assessors  of  taxes. 

35th, 

36th, 

"     Nathan  Judd  highw 

ay 

surveyor  of  district 

.  no.  1. 

37th, 

"     Simeon  Wright       " 

no.  2. 

38th, 

Sampson  Rowell    " 

no.  3. 

39th, 

"     Reuben  Sawyer      " 

no.  4. 

40th, 

"     Simon  Danforth    " 

no.  5. 

41st, 

"     Edmund  Heath      " 

no.  6. 

42nd, 

Luther  Parker        " 

no.  7. 

43rd, 

Jonathan  French 

no.  8. 

44th,  Voted  to  choose  a  committee  of  six  to  adopt  some  measure  to 
prevent  people  from  cheating,  Ij^ing,  and  swindling  people  out  of 
their  property. 

45th,  Chose  Sampson  Rowell,  Elijah  C.  Sawyer,  Reuben  Sawyer, 
Jolm  Haynes,  Esq.,  Jonathan  Hartwell,  Phinehas  Willard  for  said 
committee. 

46th,  The  above  committee  report  that  they  do  not  find  it  expe- 
dient for  them  to  act  on  the  above  named  business,  but  refer  it  to 
the  judges. 

47th,  The  committee  chosen  to  see  what  should  be  done  with 
respect  to  paying  duties  carried  out  of  this  place  reported,  to  form 
a  society,  &c. 

48th,  Voted  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  accepted. 

49th,  Voted  that  any  person  wishing  to  be  married  can  be  pub- 
lished by  the  clerk  and  married  by  any  ordained  minister. 


50  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

50th,  Voted  that  the  judges  or  any  one  of  them  has  the  power  to 
administer  oaths  to  witnesses  in  any  case  brought  before  them. 

51st,  Voted  to  dissolve  this  meeting,  and  it  was  accordingly  dis- 
solved. 

John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk.^ 

As  we  have  already  stated,  these  minutes  supplement 
the  evidence  of  the  inventories  for  taxes  in  demonstrat- 
ing the  existence  of  a  form  of  government  at  Indian 
Stream  prior  to  1832.  Their  reference  to  the  con- 
tinuation of  the  voting  privilege  on  the  part  of  those 
residing  to  the  west  of  Indian  Stream,  to  the  raising  of 
taxes  "in  the  usual  way,"  and  to  the  raising  of  three 
hundred  dollars  highway  tax — all  this  indicates  that 
we  are  dealing  with  an  assembly  which  is  not  acting 
without  precedent,  whether  established  by  an  assem- 
bly of  identical  character  and  composition,  or  one  of 
less  formal  nature.  Arguing  from  the  known  custom 
of  meeting  from  this  time  forward  annually  on  the  first 
Monday  in  March,  perhaps  we  may  infer  that  annual 
meetings  had  already  become  established. 

But  the  minutes  indicate  also  something  of  the  spirit 
of  unrest  and  innovation.  The  vote  to  choose  super- 
intendents of  funerals,  to  see  about  "paying  duties," 
to  fix  the  wage  of  men  who  should  work  for  the  com- 
munity, to  choose  highway  surveyors,  and  perhaps 
the  vote  to  choose  judges  and  sheriff,  seem  to  say 
that  an  attempt  was  on  foot  to  tighten  the  hitherto 
loose  bonds  of  organization  and  administration.  The 
community  had  now  seventy-nine  polls,  according  to 
the  tax  roll,  and  there  was  a  certain  degree  of  discontent 
caused  by  conditions  both  internal  and  external. 

Two  or  three  sources  of  dissatisfaction  are  definitely 
referred  to  in  the  minutes.  The  election  of  the  "fence 
viewers"  indicates  a  common  cause  of  trouble.  The 
vote  to  choose  a  committee  to  "adopt  some  measure 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  51 

to  prevent  people  from  cheating,  lying,  and  swindling 
people  out  of  their  property "  needs,  of  course,  no  com- 
ment. The  following  little  preamble  to  an  agreement 
entered  into  on  February  11,  less  than  a  month  before, 
between  Justice  B.  Davis  and  Phineas  Willard, 
"Whereas,  there  is  no  law  in  this  place  for  the  collec- 
tion of  debts,  except  we  are  a  law  unto  ourselves,  I,  the 
subscriber,  therefore  volunteer  freely,  and  of  my  own 
accord  agree  and  promise,  etc.," — is  an  indication  of 
the  same  source  of  trouble. ^ 

The  assumption  usual  in  regard  to  border  settlements, 
however,  should  not  be  too  readily  made  in  the  case  of 
Indian  Stream.  The  conclusion  that  the  region  was  a 
haven  for  the  lawless  and  indebted,  who  trusted  in  the 
ambiguity  of  its  location  for  protection  against  legal 
authority,  is  unwarranted  by  its  history.  Indian 
Stream  had  its  disorders,  but  nothing  is  more  certain, 
in  the  light  of  the  record  of  their  activities,  than  that 
the  great  majority  of  the  settlers  were  men  of  good 
character,  serious  purpose,  common  sense,  and  no  mean 
degree  of  ability.  The  amount  of  lawlessness  from 
which  the  community  suffered  was  probably  the  mini- 
mum, and  the  serious  attitude  assumed  toward  it  was 
due  to  the  natural  Anglo-Saxon  desire  to  enjoy  perfect 
system. 

There  were,  however,  external  as  well  as  internal 
sources  of  unrest.  So  far  we  have  barely  alluded  to 
them,  but  our  narrative  calls  now  for  fuller  mention. 

The  external  sources  of  trouble  had  their  origin  in 
the  disputed  identity  of  the  Indian  Stream  country. 
Prior  to  the  Ashburton  treaty  in  1842,  while  it  was  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  assumed  that  the  district 
was  within  the  bounds  of  the  United  States,  there  was 
always  a  greater  or  less  degree  of  ambiguity  regarding 
its  status. 


52  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

The  treaty  of  1783  defined  the  boundary  between 
the  United  States  and  the  Dominion  of  Canada  as 
extending  "along  the  ^aid  highlands  which  divide  the 
rivers  that  empty  themselves  in  the  River  St.  Lawrence 
from  those  that  fall  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  to  the 
northwesternmost  head  of  Connecticut  River,  thence 
down  the  middle  of  that  river  to  the  45th  degree  of 
north  latitude;  thence  by  a  line  due  west     .     .     ." 

As  the  upper  Connecticut  valley  was  at  that  time 
remote  from  civilization  and  inhabited  only  by  Indians, 
it  is  probable  that  the  framers  of  the  treaty  were  not 
well  enough  acquainted  with  its  physiography  to  realize 
that  their  phrase  contained  a  contradiction.  The  fact 
is  that  at  the  end  of  the  highland  bound  mentioned  it 
is  the  head  of  Hall's  Stream  which  is  the  continuation 
of  the  intended  boundary  line,  and  not  the  Connecticut, 
whose  headwaters  are  aside  from  it  to  the  southwest. 

The  issue,  therefore,  was  as  to  whether  the  intent  of 
the  Treaty  of  1783  was  to  be  regarded,  or  its  wording. 
The  Americans  held  to  the  manifest  intent,  and  claimed 
Hall's  Stream  as  the  boundary;  the  British  held  as 
strongly  for  the  wording,  and  claimed  the  Connecticut 
river  as  the  line. 

In  1789  Jeremiah  Eames  of  Stewartstown,  and  others, 
surveyed  the  headwaters  of  the  region,  and  ran  the 
boundary  line  from  near  the  pond  at  the  source  of 
the  Connecticut  westward  across  the  head  of  Indian 
Stream  to  the  head  of  Hall's  Stream,  and  thence  down 
that  stream  to  the  45th  parallel.  Colonel  Eames  and 
his  party  were  acting  under  a  state  commission.^  For 
all  the  time  up  to  1834  the  connection  of  the  district 
was  mainly  with  New  Hampshire,  so  far  as  legal  rela- 
tions were  concerned;  its  inhabitants  went  to  New 
Hampshire  for  their  bounties,  were  married  under  New 
Hampshire  laws,  and  were  from  time  to  time  subjected 
to  the  serving  of  New  Hampshire  process.* 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  53 

The  ambiguity  of  the  boundary,  however,  was  never 
forgotten.  Both  governments  were  conscious  of  it  in 
1800,  and  in  1814  the  Treaty  of  Ghent  was  cognizant 
of  it.  In  1819  an  attempt  to  reach  a  solution  of  the 
difficulty  by  means  of  Canadian  and  American  commis- 
sioners resulted  in  nothing.  In  1827  the  question  was 
submitted  for  arbitration  to  the  King  of  the  Nether- 
lands, who  recognized  the  British  claim;  but  the  Ameri- 
cans still  held  for  the  highland  bound  and  Hall's 
Stream,  and  practically  disregarded  the  award  of  1827.^ 
The  state  of  New  Hampshire,  which  had  occasionally 
served  process  through  the  deputies  of  Coos  county — 
there  is  evidence  of  such  action  as  early  as  about  1806, 
and  for  1808  or  soon  after,  for  1817,  and  on  up  to 
1827^ — continued  to  assert  jurisdiction  in  the  same 
way.  We  have  seen  that  in  1824  she  repudiated  the 
claim  of  the  proprietors  on  the  basis  of  the  deed  of  Philip, 
and  quieted  the  settlers. 

But  the  Indian  Stream  country  had  never  been  with- 
out those  who  wished  to  be,  or  even  claimed  to  be, 
independent  both  of  Canada  and  the  United  States. 
As  early  as  1807  there  was  a  petition  before  the  legis- 
lature praying  the  state  to  relinquish  its  claim  to  the 
territory,  which  was,  of  course,  refused.^  For  reasons 
not  hard  to  understand  the  proprietors  were  not  anx- 
ious for  the  state  to  interfere,  especially  after  the  action 
of  1824;  and  there  were  not  a  few  settlers  who  had 
reasons,  also  not  hard  to  understand,  for  not  wishing 
to  be  under  regularly  constituted  authority. 

The  spirit  of  independence  begotten  by  the  ambigu- 
ous boundary  line  was  fostered  by  it.  Again  and  again 
the  Coos  county  deputies  met  with  evasion  and  resist- 
ance on  their  missions  to  Indian  Stream.  At  least  by 
1830  resistance  to  New  Hampshire  had  been  erected 
into  a  principle  held  by  the  greater  number  of  the  inhab- 


54  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

itants.  Until  the  boundary  question  was  settled,  they 
asserted,  they  were  a  territory  independent  of  any 
jurisdiction  but  their  own.  They  might,  indeed,  belong 
to  the  United  States,  but  not  to  New  Hampshire. 

But  the  state  of  independence  had  its  disadvantages. 
In  1831  the  Federal  officers  of  New  Hampshire  and 
Vermont,  taking  the  Indian  Stream  people  at  their 
word,  assumed  that  they  were  outside  of  the  United 
States,  and  levied  customs  duties  on  their  goods  as 
they  entered  the  states.  The  Indian  Stream  frame  of 
mind  at  this  unexpected  development  is  reflected  in  the 
above  recited  minute  of  March  5,  1832,  recording  the 
vote  to  "choose  a  committee  of  three  to  see  what  shall 
be  done  with  regard  to  paying  duties  on  goods  carried 
out  of  this  place",  and  in  the  minute  recording  their 
recommendation  to  "form  a  society,  etc." 

There  was  a  still  more  serious  external  relation  to  deal 
with  than  this,  however.  This  was  the  relation  with 
Canada.  Canadian  assertions  to  authority  seem  to 
have  been  negligible  up  to  shortly  after  the  award  of 
1827;  at  least,  Canada  made  no  actual  attempt  at  juris- 
diction. No  doubt  the  people  of  Indian  Stream  felt 
that  if  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  left  them  in  peace 
their  problem  was  practically  solved. 

But  with  the  award  of  the  Ejng  of  the  Netherlands 
there  came  a  change  in  the  attitude  of  the  northern 
neighbor.  From  about  this  time,  according  to  unani- 
mous agreement,  Alexander  Rea,  a  Canadian  justice 
residing  at  Hereford,  not  many  miles  from  Hall's 
Stream,  began  to  insist  on  the  right  of  Great  Britain.^ 
In  1831  it  is  said  that  the  Canadian  government  even 
exacted  the  performance  of  military  duty  on  the  part 
of  certain  of  the  Indian  Stream  citizens. 

This  was  in  the  same  year  that  the  Federal  officers 
collected  duties  on  their  goods,  and  it  is  quite  natural 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  55 

to  suppose  that  both  circumstances  were  in  no  slight 
measure  destructive  of  Indian  Stream  peace  of  mind. 
In  the  excitement  caused  by  them  we  may  see  one  of 
the  chief  causes  of  the  meeting  of  March  5,  1832,  and 
the  consequent  steps  toward  absolutely  independent 
government. 

For  the  movement  toward  self-government  did  not 
stop  with  March  5.  Impelled  by  threatened  trouble 
from  both  sides  and  from  within,  and  also  inspired  by 
an  absorbing  interest  in  their  experiment,  they  fol- 
lowed up  the  March  meeting  with  another  in  June. 

The  minutes  of  the  June  meeting  are  as  follows: 

Indian  Stream  Territory,  June  11th,  1832. 
The  inha(bitants  of  Indian  Stream)  met  agree  (able  to  notice  and 
opened)  meeting  by  the  clerk's  reading  the  (warrant) . 
Article  1st,  Chose  Mr.  David  Mitchell  Moderator. 
Article  2nd,  Voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting  for  the  (space  of  one) 
hour.     The  meeting  (was  opened  according)  to  adjournment. 

Article  3rd,  Voted  to  make  and  mant Bill  of  Rights, 

etc. 

Article  4th,  Voted  to  choose  a  comini(ttee  and  that  the  com)niittee 
be  required  to  draft constitution  for  the  inhabit  (ants  of  In- 
dian Stream)  and  report  as  soon  as  con(venient )  of  laws  for 

the  government  (of  said  Indian  Stream)  Territory  as  they  deem 
neces(sary  for  the  preservation  of)  order  and  peace  in  society  till 
(such  time  as  the)  boundary  line  is  established  between  the  Prov- 
ince of  Lower  Canada  and  (the  United  States.) 
5th  Chose  David  Mitchell.    ' 
"  Luther  Parker 

"  Phinehas  Willard  \  Committee. 

"  Herman  Batchelder 
"  Nathan  Judd  i 

6th,  Voted  that  the  above  committee  be  authorized  to  direct  the 
clerk  to  call  a  meeting  to  hear  their  report  when  they  think  it  expe- 
dient. 

7th,  Voted  to  dissolve  this  meeting,  and  it  was  dissolved  accord- 
ingly. 

John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk.' 


56  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

The  committee  thus  chosen  duly  finished  its  labors, 
and  in  the  following  month  presented  its  report. 

The  meeting  was  called  on  July  9,  1832,  and  its 
minutes  are  as  follows : 

Indian  Stream  Territory  Ss.,  July  9,  1832. 
The  inhabitants  who  are  legal  voters  of  said  territory  met  agree- 
able to  notice  and  opened  the  meeting  by  the  Clerk  reading  the 
warrant  and  voted  to  adjourn  the  meeting  30  minutes.  The  meet- 
ing was  opened  according  to  adjournment  and  chose  David  Mitchell 
Moderator.  Then  the  committee  chosen  at  a  special  meeting  held 
June  11,  1832,  to  draft  a  constitution,  etc.,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
David  Mitchell,  Luther  Parker,  Phineas  Willard,  Herman  Bachelder, 
and  Nathan  Judd,  made  their  report.  When  a  vote  was  passed  to 
adjourn  15  minutes,  the  meeting  was  opened  according  to  adjourn- 
ment, and  the  following  Constitution  was  adopted.^" 

NOTES 

1  4,  pp.  17,  23. 

2  C,  p.  237. 

3  Report  of  Indian  Stream  Com.,  p.  193  f. 

*  Ihid,  pp.  205,  209,  ff. 
6  Aldrich,  379. 

6  Report  of  Indian  Stream  Com.,  pp.  203,  205,  217. 

■'  Ihid,  p.  217. 

8  Report  of  Indian  Stream  Com.,  p.  207  and  passim. 

*  4,  p.  27.     The  upper  corner  of  the  leaf  is  missing. 

"  4,  p.  28,  and  C,  p.  1.  I  know  of  no  basis  for  the  statement  in 
Bacon,  The  Connecticut  River,  and  the  Fergusson  history  that  the 
Indian  Stream  government  was  formed  in  1829. 


CHAPTER  8 

The  Indian  Stream  Constitution 

Peeamble 

Whereas  we  the  inhabitants  of  the  tract  of  land  situated  be- 
tween Hall's  Stream  and  the  stream  issueing  from  Lake  Connecti- 
cut being  the  disputed  tract  of  country  near  the  head  of  Connecticut 
River  which  is  claimed  by  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain 
respectively  and  generally  known  by  the  name  of  Indian  Stream 
and  whereas  we  are  deprived  of  the  protection  of  the  Laws  of  any 
Government  but  that  of  our  own  until  such  time  as  the  Boundary 
line  between  the  two  Governments  shall  be  established,  and  the  time 
in  which  that  will  take  place  is  to  us  unknow  n,  and  w'hereas  it  is 
our  ardent  desire  to  live  in  peace,  Harmony  and  good  order  &  con- 
sidering that  these  great  and  good  objects  cannot  be  fully  enjoyed 
without  some  wholesome  rules,  regulations,  or  code  of  laws,  and 
considering  it  the  unalienable  right  of  all  people  situated  as  w^e  are 
wherever  in  the  course  of  providence  their  lot  is  cast,  and  a  priviledge 
which  they  are  in  duty  bound  to  improve  to  strive  by  all  laudable 
means  to  take  and  adopt  such  measures  as  shall  be  best  calculated 
to  promote  peace  and  good  order  in  society  among  themselves  while 
in  their  present  state  as  well  as  to  prepare  them  for  useful  citizens 
should  they  hereafter  become  a  constituent  part  of  some  other  gov- 
ernment and  whereas  it  has  been  the  custom  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  place  to  meet  from  time  to  time  &  pass  such  votes  and  by 
laws  as  they  deemed  necessary  for  their  regulation  and  support  of 
order  without  annexing  penalties  to  enforce  them,  and  as  the  popu- 
lation and  improvements  have  considerably  increased  and  consid- 
ering the  great  importance  of  making  provision  for  the  benefit  of  the 
rising  generation,  of  adopting  and  enforcing  Laws  on  a  more  perma- 
nent Basis  for  the  support  of  schools  and  other  public  improvements 
and  maintaning  &  supporting  good  order  in  society.  And  believing 
the  time  has  now  arrived  when  we  must  as  a  body  politick  make  and 
enforce  Laws  sufficient  to  protect  and  defend  the  different  members 
of  the  community  and  redress  the  grievances  and  adjust  the  dis- 
putes and  controversies  which  occasionally  arise  among  them  or 
they  will  assume  the  right  of  individually  redressing  their  own  griev- 
ances and  avenging  their  own  injuries,  and  considering  the  power  of 


58  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

self-love  in  prejudicing  the  mind  where  the  individuals  are  interested 
and  act  under  the  impulse  of  passion,  we  believe  that  if  the  different 
members  of  society  are  permitted  to  become  their  own  avengers 
they  would  commit  great  injustice  and  become  aggressors,  that 
retaliation  would  produce  fresh  injuries,  &  call  into  action  the  worst 
passions  of  the  heart,  which  would  throw  our  society  into  a  state  of 
Anarchy  &  confusion,  which  would  destroy  all  the  peace  happiness 
and  pleasant  prospects  we  have  heretofore  enjoyed — 

Therefore  we  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  territory  being 
assembled  in  general  meeting  and  having  considered  our  situation 
&  circumstances  with  all  the  impartiality  and  candour  wliich  we  are 
capable  of  exercising,  feel  a  full  conviction  that  under  existing  cir- 
cumstances we  cannot  apply  to  any  government  for  protection  with 
any  probability  of  success — But  by  the  agreement  between  the  United 
States  &  Great  Britain  that  neither  party  should  exercise  jurisdic- 
tion over  the  disputed  Territory  we  are  left  to  our  own  resources  for 
preserving  order  in  society  without  any  probability  of  receiving  any 
assistance  from  either  government,  or  any  change  in  our  circum- 
stances till  the  boundary  line  is  established,  we  therefore  believe 
that  wliile  it  is  unlcnown  to  what  Government  w^e  owe  allegiance  we 
possess  full  right  and  imperative  necessity  requires  that  we  should 
adopt  some  form  of  Government  which  will  secure  the  rights,  happi- 
ness, and  prosperity  of  the  people  who  inhabit  this  Territory  and 
feel  confident  by  so  doing  we  shall  promote  the  interest  and  secure 
the  approbation  of  the  Government  to  which  we  shall  eventually 
belong — 

Therefore  resolved  that  to  preserve  union  among  ourselves, 
establish  Justice,  ensure  domestic  tranquility  provide  for  our 
common  security  and  defence  and  secure  the  important  Blessings 
of  civilized  society.  We  do  ordain  and  establish  this  Constitution  and 
the  principles  of  Government  therein  contained  for  our  future  guide 
and  direction  in  forming  and  enforcing  Laws  for  the  government  of 
the  territory  of  Indian  Stream. 

Constitution  of  Indian  Stream 

Part  First — Bill  of  Rights 

Article  1st.  All  men  are  born  equally  free  and  independent  there- 
fore all  government  of  right  originates  from  the  people,  is  founded 
in  common  consent  and  instituted  for  the  public  good. 

Article  2nd.  Every  man  has  a  natural,  essential,  and  unalienable 
right  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  con- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  59 

science  and  reason,  and  is  not  accountable  to  any  human  tribimal, 
for  his  religious  opinions  or  practices,  provided  he  does  not 
encroach  upon  the  civil  or  religious  rights  of  others. 

Article  3rd.  All  men  have  certain  natural  and  essential  civil  rights, 
among  which  are  the  enjoymg  and  defending  life  and  liberty; 
acquiring,  possessing,  &  protecting  property;  and  in  a  word  of 
seeking  and  obtaining  happiness.  Hence  arises  the  right  of  con- 
trolling those  vicious  members  of  society,  who  invade  the  rights 
of  others. 

Article  4th.  When  men  enter  into  a  state  of  society,  they  surrender 
up  some  of  their  natural  rights  to  that  society,  in  order  to  secure 
the  protection  of  others. 

Article  5th.  Government  being  instituted  for  the  common  benefit, 
protection  &  security  of  the  whole  community,  and  not  for  the 
private  interest  or  emolument  of  any  one  man,  family,  or  class  of 
men;  therefore  every  member  of  the  community  has  an  equal 
right  to  be  protected  by  it,  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  life,  liberty, 
and  property,  and  is  equally  bound  to  contribute  his  share  in  the 
expence  of  such  protection,  and  to  yield  his  personal  service  when 
necessary. 

Article  6th.  Every  subject  of  the  government  has  a  right  to  a  cer- 
tain remedy  by  having  recourse  to  the  Laws  for  all  injuries  he  may 
receive  in  his  person,  property  or  character;  to  obtain  right  and 
justice  freely  and  completely,  without  any  denial,  promptly  and 
without  delay  conformably  to  the  Laws. 

Article  7th.  No  subject  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  any  crime  or 
offence,  until  the  same  is  fully,  plainly,  and  substantially  described 
to  him,  nor  be  compelled  to  accuse,  or  furnish  evidence  against 
himself:  And  every  subject  shall  have  a  right  to  produce  all  proof 
that  may  be  favorable  to  himself,  to  meet  the  witnesses  against 
him  face  to  face,  and  be  fully  heard  in  his  defence  by  himself  or 
counsel,  and  no  subject  shall  be  arrested,  imprisoned,  deprived  of 
his  property  or  privileges,  put  out  of  the  protection  of  the  laws, 
exiled,  or  deprived  of  his  life,  liberty,  or  estate,  but  by  the  Judg- 
ment of  his  Peers,  or  the  law  of  the  land. 

Article  8th.  No  subject  shall  be  liable  to  be  tried  after  an  acquittal 
for  the  same  offence;  nor  shall  the  General  Assembly  make  any 
law,  that  shall  subject  any  person  to  corporeal  punishment 
(excepting  for  the  government  of  the  militia  while  in  actual  ser- 
vice) without  trial  by  Jury. 

Article  9th.  All  pimishment  ought  to  be  proportioned  to  the  nature 
of   the  offence  and  no  excessive  cruel  or  unusual   punishment 


60  THE   INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

shall  be  inflicted — the  true  design  of  all  punishment  being  to 
reform  and  not  to  exterminate  mankind. 

Article  10th.  Every  subject  hath  a  right  to  be  secure  from  all 
unreasonable  searches  or  seizures  of  liis  person,  papers  and  all 
his  possessions — therefore  all  searches  and  seizures  are  contrary  to 
this  right,  if  not  made  by  an  oflBcer  authorized  by  Law  acting  by 
authority  of  a  warrant  the  cause  or  foundation  of  which  hath  been 
confirmed  by  oath  with  a  special  designation  of  the  persons  or 
objects  of  search  or  arrest  or  seizure. 

Article  11th.  All  elections  ought  to  be  free  and  every  inhabitant 
having  the  proper  qualifications  has  an  equal  right  to  elect  &  be 
elected  into  office,  to  enjoy  the  freedom  of  speech  &  debate  and 
act  on  all  business  before  the  general  assembly. 

Article  12th.  All  power  residing  originally  in  and  being  derived 
from  the  people  all  the  magistrates  and  oflScers  of  Government 
are  their  substitutes  and  agents  and  at  all  times  accountable  to 
them. 

Article  13th.  Man  being  originally  formed  by  his  Creator  for 
society  and  social  intercourse  &  for  mutually  aiding,  assist- 
ing and  defending  each  other  and  promoting  their  mutual  wel- 
fare and  happiness  therefore  all  societies  of  men  placed  by  cir- 
cumstances of  fortune  without  the  Jurisdiction  or  control  of  any 
other  society  or  Government  have  a  right  to  unite  togather  and 
institute  such  government  for  the  regulation  of  their  society  as 
they  deem  most  conducive  to  the  general  good,  and  where  a  large 
majority  of  the  people  so  situated  unite  together  and  establish  a 
government  the  minority  of  right  ought  to  submit  to  the  majority 
and  be  controlled  by  them. 

Part  Second — Form  of  Government 

The  people  inhabiting  the  Territory  formerly  called  Indian  Stream 
Territory  do  hereby  solemnly  and  mutually  agree  with  each  other  to 
form  themselves  into  a  body  politic  by  the  name  of  Indian  Stream 
and  in  that  capacity  to  exercise  all  the  powers  of  a  free,  sovereign 
and  independent  state,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  our  own  internal  Gov- 
ernment till  such  time  as  we  can  ascertain  to  what  government  we 
properly  belong. 

The  supreme  legislative  power  within  this  place  shall  be  vested  in 
a  Council  and  assembly.  The  council  and  assembly  shall  meet 
every  year  on  the  second  monday  in  March  and  at  such  other  times 
as  the  council  may  Judge  necessary  and  shall  be  styled  the  general 
assembly  of  Indian  Stream.     The  general  assembly  shall  have  full 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  61 

power  and  authority  to  erect  and  constitute  courts  to  be  holden  in 
the  name  of  the  people  for  trying  &  determining  all  manner  of 
crimes,  offences,  Pleas,  actions,  causes  or  controversies  whatsoever 
which  may  arise  or  happen,  or  concern  persons,  inhabiting  or  resid- 
ing within  this  place,  whether  the  same  be  criminal  or  civil  or 
whether  the  crimes  be  capital  or  not  capital,  and  for  awarding  Judg- 
ment and  issuing  executions  thereon  to  which  courts  are  granted 
full  power  to  administer  Oaths  or  affirmations  for  the  better  dis- 
covery of  truth  in  any  matter  depending  before  them,  and  further 
full  power  is  hereby  granted  to  said  General  assembly  from  time  to 
time  to  make  and  establish  all  manner  of  wholesome  and  reasonable 
Laws  and  regulations  either  with  or  without  penalties  so  as  the 
same  be  not  repugnant  to  this  constitution  as  they  may  Judge  for 
the  benefit  and  welfare  of  this  people  and  for  the  necessary  support 
and  defence  of  the  Government  thereof. 

The  Assembly 

Every  male  inhabitant  of  Indian  Stream  who  is  twentj'-one  years 
of  age  or  over  and  has  resided  in  this  place  three  months  next  pre- 
ceding any  annual  session,  shall  be  admitted  as  a  member  of  the 
assembly  on  taking  the  following  oath: 

I  Solemnly  Swear  that  to  the  best  of  my  power  and  ability  I  will 
support  inviolate  the  constitution  and  laws  of  Indian  Stream.  So 
help  me  God. 

A  majority  of  the  members  of  the  assembly  shall  Constitute  a 
quorum  for  transacting  business,  and  no  business  shall  be  acted 
upon  by  the  assemblj'^  unless  a  majority  of  the  members  are  present. 

No  bills,  acts,  or  resolves  shall  originate  in  the  assembly  but  the 
assembly  may  fill  up  Blanks  left  for  the  purpose  and  return  the  Bills, 
acts,  or  resolves  to  the  council  with  the  amendments  proposed  and 
if  the  council  concur  in  the  amendment  they  shall  return  the  Bills, 
acts,  or  resolves  with  the  amendments  inserted  or  propose  other 
amendments,  but  if  the  council  do  not  concur  they  shall  return  the 
bills,  acts,  or  resolves  with  their  objections  then  if  two  thirds  of  the 
members  of  the  assembly  present  persist  in  their  amendments  the 
Clerk  shall  insert  the  amendments  and  the  Bill,  act,  or  resolve,  shall 
become  a  Law  without  being  signed  by  the  council  as  provided  in 
other  cases. 

The  assembly  shall  have  power  to  form  all  necessary  rules  (not 
repugnant  to  the  constitution)  for  preserving  order  and  transacting 
business  in  the  house  during  the  session,  and  appoint  all  necessary 
officers  to  carrv  them  into  effect. 


62  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

Every  member  of  the  assembly  who  is  hereafter  convicted,  in 
due  course  of  Law  of  Perjury  or  other  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors- 
shall  be  expelled  from  the  assembly  and  his  name  stricken  from  the 
roll  thereof  by  the  Clerk. 

The  name  of  every  member  who  has  been  absent  from  this  place 
for  the  space  of  six  months  next  preceding  any  session  of  the  assem- 
bly, or  who  may  be  removed  by  death  shall  be  erased  from  the  roll 
by  the  clerk. 

The  assembly  shall  have  power  to  choose  or  appoint  all  civil 
officers  required  by  the  Constitution  or  Laws  of  Indian  Stream  for 
the  Government  thereof. 

The  assembly  shall  have  power  to  adjourn  from  time  to  time  til 
the  business  of  the  session  is  completed  but  no  adjournment  shall 
exceed  three  days  at  any  one  time  without  the  consent  of  the 
council. 

The  Council 

The  Council  shall  consist  of  five  members  chosen  annually  by 
ballot  by  the  assembly  except  in  cases  hereafter  provided  on  the 
second  monday  of  March  whose  term  of  office  shall  commence 
immediately  after  the  close  of  the  session  at  which  they  were  chosen 
and  expire  at  the  close  of  the  next  annual  session. 

Full  power  is  hereby  granted  to  the  council  to  meet  as  often  as 
they  deem  necessary  and  they  are  required  to  watch  over  the  gen- 
eral peace  and  safety  of  the  inhabitants  to  draft  prepare,  and  report 
to  the  assembly,  all  such  Bills,  acts  and  resolves,  for  making  Laws  and 
regulations  in  this  place  as  they  consider  necessary  for  the  public 
good,  To  commission  such  officers  chosen  or  appointed  by  the  assem- 
bly or  Militia  as  are  by  the  constitution  or  Laws  required  to  be  com- 
missioned by  the  council  and  administer  the  oath  of  office.  To  cause 
complaint  to  be  made  and  prosecute  to  final  Judgment  before  any 
Court  proper  to  try  the  same  all  persons  subject  to  indictment  for 
any  criminal  offence  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  people. 

The  council  are  vested  with  full  power  and  authority  to  command 
the  militia  by  ordering  and  giving  instructions  to  the  officers  thereof, 
and  for  the  special  defence  and  safety  of  the  place  to  assemble  them 
in  martial  array  to  lead  and  conduct  them  and  with  them  to  en- 
counter repulse,  resist  and  pursue  by  force  of  arms  within  the 
limits  of  this  place  and  also  to  Kill,  slay  &  destroy  if  necessary, 
and  conquer  and  compel  to  obedience  to  the  laws  by  all  fitting  ways 
and  means  all  and  every  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  at  any  future 
time  in  a  hostile  manner  attempt  the  destruction  or  annoyance  of 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  63 

tlie  inhabitants  of  this  place  or  rise  in  insurrection  against  the  Gov- 
ernment or  Laws  thereof. 

Full  power  is  hereby  vested  in  the  council  of  pardoning  and 
remitting  the  punishment  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  people  of 
all  criminals  convicted  of  criminal  offences  against  the  laws  of  Indian 
Stream  in  whose  favour  such  palliating  circumstances  may  appear  as 
will  convince  the  council  that  their  punishment  can  be  remitted 
without  injury  to  society. 

Whenever  the  council  desire  a  special  session  of  the  assembly 
they  shall  notify  the  members  by  posting  a  notification  designating 
the  time  and  place  of  meeting  at  or  near  the  dwelling  house  of 
Ebenezer  Fletcher,  at  the  assembly  rooms  and  at  the  house  of 
Peter  Barnes  at  least  six  days  before  such  session  and  they  are 
required  to  post  with  the  notification  a  copy  of  all  Bills,  Acts,  or 
Resolves  which  they  intend  to  report  for  the  consideration  of  the 
assembly  at  said  Special  meeting.  The  council  are  further  required 
to  post  a  copy  of  all  Bills,  Acts,  &  Resolves  intended  to  be  reported 
for  the  consideration  of  the  assembly  at  the  annual  session  at  the 
three  before  mentioned  places  at  least  fourteen  days  before  said 
session. 

All  Bills,  Acts  &  Resolves  passed  by  the  assembly  and  approved 
by  the  Council  shall  be  signed  by  them  and  recorded  and  attested  by 
the  clerk  before  they  become  a  law  of  the  land. 

Provided  that  in  all  cases  where  the  council  is  mentioned  a  major- 
ity of  that  body  shall  be  considered  the  council. 

Court  of  Error 

The  Council  shall  constitute  a  high  court  of  error  and  in  that 
capacity  full  power  is  hereby  vested  in  them  to  issue  writs  of  error 
and  stop  execution  upon  the  Judgments  of  all  courts  hereafter  estab- 
lished in  this  place  in  all  cases  where  such  testimony  and  e\'idence 
is  produced  before  them  as  shall  render  it  highly  probable  that  such 
Judgment  was  founded  on  an  erroneous  construction  of  the  law,  or  is 
contrary  to  law  or  the  principles  of  this  constitution,  and  to  issue 
their  mandate  to  the  Justice  or  Justices  of  Said  court,  commanding 
them  to  reverse  or  correct  their  Judgment  so  as  to  render  it  conform- 
able to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  constitution  and  Laws  of 
Indian  Stream  in  all  cases  where  after  full  investigation  they  find 
such  Judgment  was  erroneously  rendered. 

Provided  that  no  evidence  or  testimony  in  the  case  shall  be  pro- 
duced before  the  court  of  error  which  was  not  brought  in  evidence 
or  plea  before  the  court  or  is  contained  in  the  records  thereof  upon 
whose  Judgment  complaint  of  error  is  made. 


64  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Encoubagement  of  Literature  and  Moral  Virtue 

Knowledge  and  Learning  generally  diffused  through  a  community 
being  essential  for  the  preservation  of  a  free  government,  and  spread- 
ing the  opportunities  and  advantages  of  education  through  the 
various  parts  of  the  community  being  highly  conducive  to  promote 
this  end  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislators  and  Magistrates  in  all 
future  periods  of  this  Government  to  cherish  the  interest  of  Litera- 
ture and  sciences  and  public  schools,  to  countenance  and  inculcate 
the  principles  of  humanity  and  general  benevolence,  public  & 
private  charity,  industry  &  economy.  Honesty  and  punctuality, 
sincerity  &  sobriety,  and  all  social  affections  and  generous  senti- 
ments among  the  people. 

Writs,  &c. 

All  writs  issued  by  any  court  of  Law  shall  be  in  the  name  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream,  and  all  indictments,  presentments, 
&  informations  shall  conclude  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the 
people. 

Oath  of  Office 

Every  officer  accepting  the  trust  before  he  proceeds  to  execute 
the  duties  of  his  office  shall  make  and  subscribe  the  following  decla- 
ration. 

I,  A.  B.,  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  swear  and  affirm  that  I  will 
faithfully  and  impartially  discharge  and  perform  all  the  duties 
incumbent  on  me  as  .  .  .  according  to  the  best  of  my  abilities 
agreeable  to  the  constitution  and  Laws  of  Indian  Stream.  So  help 
me  God. 

Provisions 

Provided  if  by  any  casualty  circumstance  it  should  so  happen 
that  a  quorum  of  the  assembly  should  not  be  present  at  any  annual 
session  all  officers  whose  term  of  office  would  otherwise  expire  at 
that  session  shall  continue  in  office  til  others  are  chosen  or  appointed 
to  superscede  them. 

The  general  assembly  shall  have  power  to  make  Laws  for  raising, 
assessing  &  collecting  taxes  for  the  support  of  government,  Laying 
out  making  &  repairing  highways  and  Bridges  &  for  the  support 
of  Public  schools  and  other  public  purposes  to  be  apportioned  among 
the  people  in  the  most  equal  manner  that  circumstances  wil'  admit. 
And  shall  provide  for  and  reasonably  compensate  the  council  and 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  65 

clerk  and  all  such  other  officers  as  by  law  shall  be  authorized  to 
receive  compensation  from  the  people  for  their  services  rendered. 

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  constitution  shall  be  so  construed 
as  to  prevent  the  members  of  the  council  from  acting  and  voting  in 
the  assembly  the  same  as  other  members. 

The  Clerk  of  the  assembly  shall  superscede  the  clerk  of  Indian 
Stream  Territory  and  keep  and  preserve  all  public  records  hereto- 
fore made,  and  shall  record  keep  and  preserve  all  public  records 
hereafter,  and  perform  all  duties  required  of  him  by  law. 

Provided  that  if  any  officer  shall  remove  from  this  place,  or  re- 
sign or  is  removed  by  death  thereby  leaving  his  office  vacant  the 
council  shall  fill  the  vacancy  by  appointing  such  person  as  they 
consider  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office,  to  fill  such 
vacancy. 

Provided  that  all  the  Laws  rules  and  regulations  which  have 
heretofore  been  adopted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  Terri- 
tory shall  remain  and  be  in  full  force  until  altered  or  repealed  bythe 
general  assembly  such  parts  thereof  only  excepted  as  are  repugnant 
to  the  rights  &  liberties  contained  in  this  constitution. 

Provisions  for  Adopting  the  Constitution  and  Laws  Re- 
ported BY  the  Committee,  &  for  Carrying  Them  into 
Immediate  Effect 

Provided  that  after  the  committee  shall  have  reported  this  con- 
stitution at  the  meeting  specially  called  for  that  purpose  the  moder- 
ator shall  put  the  question  to  the  people  in  the  following  words; 
is  this  constitution  approved  and  shall  it  be  adopted  and  shall 
then  from  a  roll  prepared  by  the  clerk  containing  the  name  of  every 
legal  voter  in  this  place  (errors  excepted)  proceed  and  call  the  name 
of  every  voter  contained  in  the  roll,  and  receive  their  vote  bj^  their 
answering  yea  or  nay,  and  the  clerk  shall  record  every  vote  given 
against  the  name  of  the  voter  who  gave  it. 

The  moderator  shall  then  say  if  there  is  any  voter  present 
whose  name  has  not  been  called  he  is  requested  to  come  forward  and 
give  his  vote. 

The  moderator  shall  then  cast  up  all  the  yeas  and  nays  and  declare 
the  number  of  all  the  votes  given  and  the  number  of  the  yeas  and 
nays  seperately  and  if  it  shall  then  appear  that  two  thirds  of  all  the 
votes  given  are  yeas,  the  moderator  shall  declare  this  constitution 
is  adopted,  but  if  it  shall  appear  that  less  than  two  thirds  of  all  the 
votes  given  are  yeas,  the  moderator  shall  declare  this  constitution 
is  not  adopted. 
5 


66  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Provided  further  that  if  this  constitution  is  adopted  every  legal 
voter  at  this  time  desirous  of  becoming  a  member  of  the  assembly 
shall  present  himself  to  the  Clerk  who  shall  then  enroll  the  names 
of  said  voters  and  administer  the  oath  prescribed  in  the  Consti- 
tution. 

And  in  all  cases  where  the  Clerk  shall  enroll  and  admit  persons  as 
members  of  the  assembly  he  shall  certify  in  the  following  form: 
That  on  the        day  of  in  the  year  personally  appeared 

before  me  the  above  named  Inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  and  were 
duly  qualified  and  admitted  members  of  the  assembly  agreeable  to 
the  constitution.     A.  B.,  Clerk  of  Indian  Stream. 

The  moderator  of  the  meeting  shall  then  call  the  members  of  the 
assembly  to  order  and  call  for  the  ballots  for  a  speaker  of  the  assem- 
bly the  member  having  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  given  shall  be 
declared  Elected.  They  shall  proceed  in  the  same  manner  to  elect 
a  Clerk.  The  Moderator  shall  then  administer  the  oath  of  office  to 
the  Clerk,  &  the  Clerk  to  the  speaker,  the  moderator  shall  then 
declare  the  assembly  organized  and  the  meeting  dissolved.  The 
assembly  shall  then  proceed  to  transact  what  is  proper  to  be  done 
by  the  General  Assembly  at  the  annual  session  the  Committee 
which  reported  this  Constitution  being  authorized  to  act  as  council 
til  the  close  of  the  session. 

And  Provided  further  that  all  Bills,  acts,  and  resolves  reported  by 
the  committee  shall  not  be  barred  by  reason  of  not  having  been 
posted  but  shall  be  considered  constitutionally  reported  to  the 
assembly. 

And  provided  that  the  term  of  office  of  all  officers  chosen  or 
appointed  at  this  session  shall  expire  the  same  as  though  they  had 
commenced  on  the  second  monday  in  March  last. 

Provision    for  Altering   and    Amending    this    Constitution 

The  Speaker  of  the  assembly  shall  at  every  annual  session  when 
a  quorum  is  present  put  the  question,  is  it  necessary  to  alter  or 
amend  the  Constitution  and  take  the  vote  by  Yeas  and  Nays  by 
calling  the  name  of  every  member  and  if  a  majority  of  all  the  mem- 
bers are  in  favor  of  altering  or  amending  the  Constitution,  the 
speaker  shall  declare  it  necessary  to  alter  &  amend  the  Constitu- 
tion. The  assembly  shall  then  choose  a  committee  to  prepare  such 
alterations  in  the  constitution  as  they  think  necessary  to  be  ap- 
proved by  the  assembly  at  a  special  meeting  to  be  holden  expressly 
for  that  purpose,  or  at  any  session  of  the  assembly  legally  held,  and 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  67 

when  the  committee  have  proposed  their  alteration  or  amendment 
the  speaker  shall  put  the  question,  shall  these  alterations  and 
amendments  be  made  and  adopted  into  the  constitution,  and  take 
the  vote  by  yeas  &  nays  as  above  and  if  two  thirds  of  all  the 
members  present  shall  vote  in  favor  of  the  question  the  speaker 
shall  declare  the  alterations  and  amendments  are  made  in  the  con- 
stitution but  if  two  thirds  of  all  the  members  present  do  not  vote 
in  favor  of  the  question  the  speaker  shall  declare  no  alteration  or 
amendment  is  made  in  the  constitution. 

Provided  that  nothing  contained  in  this  constitution  shall  be  so 
construed  as  to  extend  the  Jurisdiction  of  this  government  over  any 
inhabitants  settled  on  the  east  side  of  Halls  Stream  if  any  there 
are  who  are  included  within  the  chartered  limits  of  Hereford. 

NOTE 

The  constitution  is  contained  in  C,  pp.  1-11.  The  pimctuation 
and  spelling  of  the  manuscript  are  closely  followed  here  and  in  the 
following  chapters. 


CHAPTER  9 


The  Assembly  of  1832 
The  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  July  9,  1832,  continue: 

The  vote  for  adopting  the  Constitution  was  as  follows    Yeas  56, 
Nays  3.     Whole  number  59. 

List  of  Members  op  the  General  Assembly 


Peter  Barnes 
Zacheus  Clough 
Benjamin  Coon 
William  Fessenden 
Burleigh  Blood 
*David  Eaton 
John  Haynes 
Rufus  Hartwell 
John  Robie 
Daniel  Rogers 
Clark  J.  Haynes 
Nathaniel  Perkins 
Enoch  Can 
Simeon  Wright 
Reuben  Sawyer 
Alanson  Cumings 
John  H.  Tyler 


Timothy  N.  Haynes 
Sampson  Thirston 
*Nathaniel  French 
*Nathaniel  Snow 
*Hermon  Bachelder 
*David  Tyler 
*Ebenezer  Gitchell 
Jonathan  French 
Sampson  Rowell 
John  Langdon  Haynes 
*Jeremy  George 
Ross  C.  Haynes 
Jonathan  Hartwell 
Ebenezer  Fletcher 
Aaron  Judd 
Phinehas  Willard 
Jeremiah  Tabor 
Richard  I.  Blanchard 


Samuel  Drown 
Samuel  Orsborn 
Nathan  Judd 
Luther  Parker 
Stilman  Martin 
Elijah  C.  Sawyer 
*Josiah  Lamb 
Emer  Applebee 
John  McConnell 
Wells  Wright 
John  H.  Perry 
Abner  Hyland 
John  A.  IVIitchell 
David  Mitchell 
Nathan  J.  Perry 
Ira  C.  Bowen 
George  W.  Bunnel 


On  the  ninth  day  of  July  in  the  year  one  thousand  Eight  hundred 
and  thirty  two.  Personally  appeared  before  me  the  above  named 
inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  and  were  duly  qualified  and  admitted 
members  of  the  assembly  agreeable  to  the  Constitution. 

John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerh  of  Indian  Stream.^ 

Indian  Stream,  July  9th,  1832. 
The  Assembly  was  then  called  to  order  by  the  Moderator  and 
David  Mitchell  was  chosen  Speaker  &  John  A.  Mitchell  Clerk  and 
took  the  oath  of  oflfice  as  prescribed  by  the  constitution. 

These  names  are  cancelled  in  the  record. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  69 

The  meeting  was  then  declared  dissolved  and  the  assembly  organ- 
ized. 

Voted  that  the  former  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government 
of  the  house  be  adopted  until  others  are  made. 

Chose  Phinehas  Willard,  Luther  Parker,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan- 
iel Perkins,  and  John  Haynes  members  of  the  Coimcil. 

Voted  to  choose  three  Justices  of  the  peace. 

Chose  Nathan  Judd,  Clark  J.  Haynes,  Burleigh  Blood,  Justices  of 
the  peace. 

Voted  that  the  Council  draft  a  set  of  rules  for  the  government  of 
the  house  when  in  session. ^ 


An  Act  to  Establish  Courts  of  Justice  ^ 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
assembly  convened.  That  from  and  after  the  passing  of  this  act 
Every  Justice  of  the  Peace  who  shall  be  Legally  appointed  and  duly 
qualified  in  this  place  shall  constitute  a  Court  of  competent  Juris- 
diction for  the  trial  of  all  actions  Pleas  &  controversies  which  may 
be  brought  before  them  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  people  and 
for  rendering  Judgment  for  debt  or  damage  and  reasonable  Costs 
&  issueing  execution  thereon. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  at  all  trials  before  a  Justice  the 
parties  or  either  of  them  shall  have  a  right  to  a  Jury  to  be  appointed 
as  hereinafter  provided. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  coimcil 
immediately  after  they  are  appointed  annually  to  make  out  a  list  of 
twenty  four  names  of  the  legal  voters  in  this  place  such  as  they  shall 
consider  qualified  to  serve  as  Jurors  &  write  their  names  on  separate 
pieces  of  paper  &  put  them  into  a  Box  or  Boxes  to  be  provided  for 
that  purpose  and  shall  deliver  to  each  Justice  a  Box  containing  the 
names  as  aforesaid  to  be  kept  by  the  said  Justices,  and  in  all  cases 
where  a  trial  is  pending  &  the  parties  or  either  of  them  request  a 
Jury,  the  Justice  before  whom  the  trial  is  to  be  held  shall  draw  from 
the  Box  six  names  &  the  persons  whose  names  shall  be  so  drawn 
shall  compose  the  Jury  to  serve  at  the  trial  imless  it  shall  appear 
that  any  whose  names  shall  have  been  Drawn  as  aforesaid  shall  be 
a  party  concerned  or  in  any  way  interested  in  the  event  of  said  trial 
in  that  case  the  Justice  shall  return  the  name  or  names  of  such 
person  or  persons  into  the  Box  and  proceed  to  draw  others  to  serve 
in  their  stead,  and  the  Jurors  drawn  as  aforesaid  shall  be  notified 


70  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

by  the  sheriflf  to  attend  at  the  time  and  place  of  such  court  and 
before  proceedmg  on  any  trial  in  civil  actions  the  Justice  shall  ad- 
minister to  the  Jury  the  following  Oath:  You  solemnly  swear  that 
in  all  causes  betwixt  party  &  party  that  shall  be  committed  unto 
you,  you  will  give  a  true  verdict  according  to  Law  &  the  evidence 
before  you.     So  help  you  God. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  in  all  civil  actions  hereafter  com- 
menced the  writ  shall  be  served  on  the  defendant  by  the  sheriff  at 
least  seven  daj's  before  the  court. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  the  Justices  appointed  as  aforesaid 
shall  have  Jurisdiction  of  aU  criminal  as  civil  actions,  provided  that 
in  all  cases  where  complaint  is  made  or  criminal  action  is  brought 
before  a  Justice,  said  Justice  may  have  one  or  more  Justices  to  sit 
with  him  on  trial  of  such  complaint  or  action  may  enlarge  the  Jury 
to  the  number  of  twelve. 

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  act  shall  be  so  construed  as  to 
affect  any  former  proceeding  either  civil  or  criminal  which  has  been 
had  before  any  Couit  heretofore,  or  any  debts  heretofore  contracted. 
But  all  such  cases  shall  be  settled  agreeable  to  the  rules  &  regula- 
tions heretofore  adopted. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  all  courts  established  before  the 
adoption  of  this  constitution  the  same  are  hereby  abolished. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  in  all  criminal  causes  before  pro- 
ceeding in  the  trial  the  Justice  before  whom  such  cause  is  brought, 
shall  administer  the  following  Oath.  You  solemnly  swear  that  you 
will  well  and  truely  try  and  true  deliverance  make  between  the  in- 
habitants of  Indian  Stream  and  the  respondent  at  the  Bar,  whom 
you  shall  have  in  charge  according  to  Law  and  the  evidence  given 
you.     So  help  you  God. 

Signed  David  Mitchell,  Luther  Parker,  Phinehas  Willabd, 
Hermon  Batchelder,  Nathan  Judd,  Council. 

Passed  July  9,  1832. 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Regulate  the  Collection  op  Debts,  Damages,  & 
Fines  in  all  Cases  in  which  Execution  to  Attach  and 
Sell  Property  May  Be  Rendered 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  general 
assembly  convened  that  after  the  passing  of  this  act  that  in  all  cases 
where  an  action  is  commenced  before  any  court  in  this  place  said 
court  shall  order  the  sheriff  to  attach  the  goods,  chattels  or  property 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  71 

of  the  defendant  for  the  security  of  debt,  damage  or  fine  and  cost 
of  Court,  to  double  the  amount  of  debt,  damage  or  fine  claimed  in 
the  declaration  of  the  Writ  issued  by  such  court. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  in  all  cases  where  Judgment  is 
rendered  by  any  Court  in  this  place  against  either  plaintiff  or  defend- 
ant said  court  shall  issue  execution  thereon  ordering  the  Sheriff  to 
attach  and  sell  to  the  highest  bidder  at  publick  auction  so  much 
property  of  the  person  or  persons  against  whom  such  Judgment  was 
rendered  as  will  amount  to  said  execution  with  the  addition  of  the 
Sheriff's  fees  for  attaching  and  selling  said  property. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  no  court  excepting  the  court  of 
error  shall  be  required  to  issue  any  writ  until  25  cents  has  been 
tendered  by  the  plaintiff  for  said  writ,  or  any  warrant  to  arrest  any 
criminal  or  search  any  suspected  places,  or  make  any  seizure  before 
the  complainant  or  applicant  for  said  warrant  shall  tender  said 
Comt  25  cents  for  said  warrant. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  each  Justice  shall  receive  one 
dollar  m  advance  on  each  case  brought  before  him  to  be  paid  by 
the  plamtiff  and  one  dollar  on  each  adjoiu-ned  case  for  each  adjour- 
ment  or  continuance  to  be  paid  by  the  party  pleading  adjournment 
or  continuance. 

Signed      David  Mitchell,  Luther  Parker,  Phineas  Willard, 
Hermon  Batchelder. 

Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  Regulating  the  Fees  of  the  Sherriff,  and  Defining 
His  Duty 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
assembly  convened  That  after  the  passing  of  this  act  each  Sherriff  in 
this  place  shall  have  four  cents  for  each  mile  which  he  may  nesces- 
sarily  travel  in  discharging  his  official  duty,  and  a  reasonable  com- 
pensation for  every  person  which  he  may  necessarily  command  to 
assist  him  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  twenty-five  cents  for  the 
service  of  every  writ,  fifty  cents  for  every  arrest  by  warrant,  and 
twelve  and  a  half  cents  for  summoning  each  Juror  and  evidence. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  tht  sherriff 
upon  having  his  fees  tendered  him  to  execute  all  orders  of  any 
court  in  this  place,  to  obey  the  instructions  of  the  plaintiff  in  attach- 
ing and  selling  property  on  Writ  or  execution  provided  he  shall 


72  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

receive  good  and  sufficient  bonds  to  indemnify  liim  in  case  the  prop- 
erty does  not  belong  to  the  person  he  was  ordered  to  attach. 

Signed   Luthkr  Parker,  Phinehas  Willard,  David  Mitchell, 

H.  Batchelder,  N.  Judd,  Council. 
Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Provide  for  Forming  Juries 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General  As- 
sembly convened,  That  each  Juror  upon  being  summoned  to  attend 
any  Court  to  be  held  in  this  place  and  having  four  cents  per  mile  and 
thirty  three  cents  for  one  half  days  attendance  tendered  him  shall 
obey  said  summons  of  Court  unless  disabled  by  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence under  pain  of  forft  iting  and  paying  five  dollars. 

And  be  it  furthei  enacted  that  no  Juror  shall  be  required  to  attend 
on  any  court  more  than  six  hours,  unless  his  fees  for  an  additional 
half  day  are  tendered  him  in  advance. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  party 
requiring  a  Jury  to  advance  the  Jurors  fees. 

Signed      Luther  Parker,  Phinehas  Willard,  Nathan  Judd, 
David  Mitchell,  H.  Batchelder,  Council. 

Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Prevent  Selling  Spirituous  Liquors  in  or  Near 
THE  Assembly  Rooms  &c. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Lidian  Stream  in  General 
Meetuig  assembled,  that  no  person  shall  fetch  for  the  purpose  of 
Selling,  vending,  or  giving  away,  distilled  Liquors  within  one  fourth 
part  of  a  mile  of  the  place  where  the  assembly  are  in  session  on 
pain  of  forfeiting  all  of  said  liquors  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  all 
Justices  of  Courts  to  issue  their  warrants  to  the  Sherriff  ordering  him 
to  seize  said  liquors  forthwith  and  to  sell  the  same  in  four  days  and 
lodge  the  proceeds  with  the  treasurer  (after  deducting  his  fees)  for 
the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  if  any  person  shall  sell  vend  or 
give  away  any  distilled  Liquors  within  the  limits  prescribed  in  this 
act,  on  the  day  that  the  session  of  the  assembly  is  held  it  shall  be 
full  evidence  that  the  remainder  of  said  liquors  was  brought  for  the 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  73 

purpose  of  selling  vending  or  giving  away,  and  shall  be  forfeited 
with  the  vessel  or  cask  containing  the  same  to  the  use  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Indian  Stream. 

Signed      David  Mitchell,  Luther  Parker,  Phineas  Willard, 

Herman  Batchelder,  Nathan  Judd,  Council. 
Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Repeal  Former  Votes  &  Rules 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
meeting  assembled,  that  all  votes  and  rules  heretofore  passed  which 
are  contrary  to  the  acts  this  day  passed  are  hereby  repealed. 
Signed     David  Mitchell,  Luther  Parker,  Phineas  Willard, 

Herjvian  Batchelder,  Nathan  Judd,  Council. 
Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Exempt  Certain  Property  from  Attachment 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
Assembly  convened,  that  from  the  passing  of  this  act  the  following 
property  shall  be  exempt  in  all  civil  cases  from  attachment  on  Writ 
or  execution.  Viz.  one  Cow,  one  hog,  one  swine  not  over  six  months 
old,  the  meat  of  one  hog,  seven  Sheep  and  the  Wool  of  seven  sheep, 
three  tons  of  Hay  one  Bed  and  bedding  for  every  two  persons,  all 
wearing  apparel  &  all  their  Books  and  if  a  farmer  or  mechanic 
twenty  dollars  worth  tools  one  Gun  and  equipments  Household 
furniture  to  the  amomit  of  twenty  dollars  one  bushel  of  Grain,  Meal, 
or  flower  to  each  person  twenty  five  Bushels  Potatoes,  and  two 
Bushels  Salt. 

Signed    David  Mitchell,  Hermon  Batchelder,  Phineas  Wil- 
lard, Luther  Parker. 

Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  for  Organizing  the  Militia 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
Assembly  convened,  that  the  Council  shall  enrol  in  the  militia  every 
able  bodied  man  within  this  place  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and 


74  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

fifty  as  soon  as  they  think  expedient  after  the  close  of  this  session 
of  the  General  Assembly,  shall  invite  the  persons  enrolled  to  assemble 
and  proceed  to  the  choice  of  Captain,  Lieutenant,  Ensign,  first, 
second,  third  and  fourth  Sergeant  and  the  person  having  a  majority 
of  all  the  votes  given  for  each  of  the  respective  offices  shall  be  de- 
clared duly  chosen. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  Council  shall  commission  the 
Captain  Lieutenant  and  Ensign,  and  administer  the  oath  of  office, 
and  the  Captain  shall  issue  warrants  to  the  Sargents  and  adminis- 
ter the  oath  of  office. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Captain 
to  assemble  his  company  on  the  second  monday  in  June  annually 
for  Military  duty  and  inspection,  and  to  instruct  them  in  Military 
duty  and  tacticks. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  citizen 
enrolled  in  the  militia  to  assemble  on  the  second  monday  in  June 
annually,  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  Captain  shall  order  with  such 
arms  and  equipments  as  they  may  possess  and  yield  strict  obedience 
to  their  commanding  officers.   . 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  whenever  the  Captain  shall  order 
the  Militia  to  assemble  for  actual  service  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
every  citizen  so  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  such  time  and  place  as  the 
Captain  shall  order  armed  with  a  good  musket  two  spare  flints  and 
twenty  four  cartridges  with  ball  suited  to  the  bore  of  his  Musket 
and  powder  sufficient  to  discharge  the  same  and  knapsack  with  one 
days  provision. 

Signed      David  Mitchell,  Luther  Parker,  Phineas  Willard, 
Hermon  Batchelder,  Nathan  Judd. 

Passed  July  9th,  1832. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerh. 

NOTES 

1  C,  p.  12.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  original  spellings  of  proper 
names  are  followed. 

2  C,  pp.  12,  13. 

» For  the  acts  of  1832,  C,  pp.  13-18. 


CHAPTER  10 

The  Assembly  of  1833 

Indian  Stream  Ss.,  March  11, 1833. 

The  assembly  met  agreeable  to  notice  and  were  organized 
according  to  constitution  &  law. 

Article  1.   Chose  David  Mitchell  Speaker. 

Article  2.  Chose  John  A.  Mitchell  Clerk. 

Article  3.  On  the  11th  day  of  March  A.  D.  1833  personally  ap- 
peared Elisha  P.  Tabor,  Nath'  Perkins,  Jr.,  John  Robie  Jr.  and 
were  duely  qualified  and  admitted  members  of  the  assembly  agree- 
able to  the  constitution.  John  A.  Mitchell  Clerh. 

4th  Chose  Phinehas  Willard  for  first  councillor  who  does  not 
accept. 

4th  Chose  Nath'  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  John  Haynes,  E.  P. 
Tabor,  Nathan  Judd  Councillors. 

5th  Voted  to  choose  three  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

6th  Chose  Nath'  Perkins,  Jr.,  Rich<i  I.  Blanchard,  Burleigh 
Blood  Justices  of  Peace. 

7th  Chose  Reuben  Sawyer  sherriff. 

8th  Voted  to  raise  three  hundred  Dollars  highway  tax. 

9th  Voted  that  each  able  bodied  man  shall  be  allow*  one  dollar  a 
day  untill  the  middle  of  Sepf  after  that  seventy-five  cents  oxen 
the  same. 

10  Chose  J.  Tabor,  Simeon  Wright,  Ross  C.  Haynes,  David 
Eaton,  Enoch  Carr,  Simon  Danforth,  Burleigh  Blood,  Jeremy 
George,  Timothy  N.  Haynes  Highway  Surveyors. 

11th  voted  to  choose  three  selectmen  by  hand  vote. 

12th  Chose  Nath'  Perkins,  R.  C.  Haynes,  Peter  Barnes  Select 
men. 

13th  voted  that  each  school  District  may  raise  such  tax  for 
supporting  schools  as  they  see  fit. 

14th  voted  that  any  person  making  complaint  to  any  magistrate 
for  a  Breach  of  the  peace  by  any  person  or  persons  before  a  war- 
rant shall  be  granted  shall  give  a  sufiicient  bond  to  pay  all  cost 
that  may  arise  in  said  action,  provided  the  person  or  persons  com- 
plained of  should  not  be  found  guilty  or  should  not  be  fined  by 


76  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

s"^  court  in  a  sum  sufficient  to  defray  the  expences  attending  s^ 
suit. 

15th  Chose  John  A.  Mitchell  Treasurer. 

16th  Voted  to  choose  a  committe  of  three  to  lay  out  roads  in 
this  place  and  that  they  shall  say  where  and  how  wide  the  roads 
are  to  be  made  and  where  to  have  gates  &  bars,  and  in  case  anyone 
petitions  for  a  road  through  anyones  farm  the  petitioners  shall 
pay  all  damage  that  may  be  assessed  on  the  same. 

17th  Chose  Nathan  Judd,  R.  I.  Blanchard,  Jon*  Hartwell  Com- 
mittee on  Roads. 

Voted  to  adjourn  to  the  2d  Monday  of  March  next  at  ten  o'clock 
A.M. 

J.  A.  Mitchell,  Cleric.^ 

The  acts  of  1833  receive  no  mention  in  these  min- 
utes.    There  were  three,  as  follows  i^ 

An  Act  to  Establish  the  Rates  at  Which  Polls  and  Ratable 
Estates  shall  be  Valued  in  Making  and  Assessing  Direct 
OR  OTHER  Taxes  in  this  Place. 
(For  this  act,  see  chapter  5,  p.  38.) 
Signed    Phinehas  Willard,  Nath^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell, 

John  Haynes,  Councillors. 
Passed  March  11th,  1833. 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  in  Addition  to  an  Act  entitled  An  Act  to  Regulate 
the  Collection  of  Debts,  Damages,  and  Fines  in  all 
Cases  in  which  Execution  to  Attach  and  Sell  Property 
MAY  BE  Rendered 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  general 
assembly  convened  that  after  the  passing  of  this  act  that  in  all  cases 
where  Judgment  is  rendered  by  any  court  in  this  place  against 
either  plaintiff  or  def endent  said  court  shall  issue  execution  thereon, 
ordering  the  sheriff  to  attach  and  sell  to  the  highest  bidder  at  public 
auction  so  much  property  of  the  person  or  persons  against  whom 
such  Judgment  was  rendered  as  will  amount  to  said  execution 
with  the  addition  of  the  Sherriffs  fees  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  sherriff  in  all  cases  where  he  has  attached  property  on  execu- 
tion as  aforesaid  to  advertise  the  same  by  posting  an  advertisement 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  77 

specifying  the  articles  for  sale  at  some  public  place  in  this  settle- 
ment at  least  four  days  before  such  sale  and  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  sherriff  to  pay  over  immediately  all  sums  by  him  received 
for  property  sold  as  aforesaid  for  debt  and  cost  to  the  person  or 
persons  in  whose  favor  such  execution  was  granted  or  their  attor- 
ney deducting  his  own  fees,  and  in  all  cases  where  execution  was 
for  fine  and  Cost  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  people  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Sherriff  to  pay  the  same  immediately  to  the 
treasurer  of  this  place  for  the  benefit  of  the  inhabitiants  and  be  it 
further  enacted  that  the  sherriff  shall  have  a  right  to  tax  for  every 
execution  by  him  collected  and  paid  over  as  aforesaid  fifty  cents. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  all  executions  issued  by  any 
court  in  this  place  shall  be  ordered  to  be  returned  within  sixty 
days. 

Signed    Phinehas  Willard,  Nath^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell, 
John  Haynes,  Councillors. 

Passed  March  11th,  1833. 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Provide  for  Raising,  Assessing,  and  Collecting 
Taxes  for  the  Support  of  Government,  Laying  Out, 
Making,  and  Repairing  Highways  and  Bridges,  for  the 
Support  of  Schools  and  Other  Public  Purposes 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
Assembly  convened  that  from  the  passing  of  this  act  all  taxes 
voted  by  the  assembly  to  be  raised  for  any  or  either  of  the  above 
purposes  shall  be  assessed  on  the  polls  and  ratable  estate  agreeable 
to  the  law  in  that  case  made  and  provided. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  general  assembly  shall 
annually  at  their  session  choose  three  select  men  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  assess  all  taxes  voted  by  the  assembly  to  be  raised  and 
said  select  men  shall  be  sworn  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duty 
and  shall  have  full  power  to  take  an  inventory  of  the  polls  and 
rateable  estate  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  on  tlie  first  day 
of  april  annually  and  shall  proceed  to  make  out  the  taxes  which 
may  have  been  voted  &  ordered  bj'  the  assembly  &  the  said  select 
men  shall  make  out  a  warrant  annexed  to  the  tax  bill  and  deliver 
to  the  collector  who  shall  be  chosen  by  the  assembly  and  quali- 
fied as  the  constitution  and  law  directs  and  the  collector  by  virtue 
of  said  warrant  shall  have  full  power  to  collect  said  taxes,  and  in 
case  any  whose  names  are  in  said  tax  bill  shall  neglect  or  refuse 


78  THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

to  pay  his  or  her  tax  after  reasonable  notice  said  collector  may 
proceed  to  attach  property  and  sell  at  public  auction  sufficient  to 
pay  said  tax  and  cost,  and  may  tax  the  same  fees  as  is  allowed 
to  the  Sherriff  for  collection  on  execution. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  select  men  shall  proceed  in, 
the  same  way  in  assessing  and  making  out  the  Highway  taxes 
and  the  Highway  surveyors  are  hereby  invested  with  the  same 
power  for  collecting  their  taxes  as  is  given  to  the  collectors. 

Signed    Phinehas  Willabd,  Nath^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell^ 
John  Haynes,  Councillors. 

Passed  March  11,  1833. 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 

NOTES 
1 4,  p.  30. 
2  For  the  acts  of  1833,  C,  pp.  20,  21. 


CHAPTER  11 

The  Assembly  of  1834 

Indian  Stream  Ss.,  March  10th,  1834. 
The  assembly  met  agreeable  to  adjournment  when  the  following 
individuals  appeared  and  were  duly  qualified  and  admitted  members 
of  the  assembly  agreeable  to  the  constitution: 

Wm.  White  Russell  \^^ite  David  S.  Rowell 

Samuel  Huggins  Goodrich  Coats  James  Abbot 

Rufus  Brockway  Enos  Rowell  Simon  Danford 

Joseph  Watts  David  Johnson 

Attest  John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 

Article  1st  Chose  David  Mitchell  Speaker. 

Article  2  Chose  John  A.  Mitchell  Clerk. 

Article  3  Chose  John  A.  Mitchell  Treasurer. 

Article  4  Voted  to  adjourn  five  minutes. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Article  5  Chose  Jeremiah  Tabor,  Phinehas  Willard,  Abner  High- 
land, Wm.  White,  James  Abbot  Councillors  &  sworn. 

Article  6th  Voted  to  choose  three  Justices  of  the  Peace.  Chose 
Elisha  P.  Tabor,  Alanson  Cumings,  Burleigh  Blood  justices  of 
peace  Sworn. 

Article  7  Chose  Reuben  Sawyer  Sherriff  &  sworn. 

Article  8  voted  that  the  act  respecting  sherriff  &  prisoners  be 
laid  on  the  table. 

Article  9  voted  that  the  act  for  preventing  vexatious  law  suits 
be  laid  on  the  table. 

Article  10  voted  that  an  act  respecting  stock  produce  &c  being 
lawful  tender  for  debts  &c  be  laid  on  the  table. 

Article  11  voted  that  the  act  respecting  marriages  be  laid  on 
the  table. 

Article  12th  voted  that  the  act  respecting  roads  be  laid  on  the 
table. 

Article  13th  Voted  that  the  act  respecting  appointing  Depu- 
ties by  the  Sherriff  lie  on  the  table  &  return  d  for  amendment. 

Article  14  Voted  that  the  council   report  a    bill    to   choose   a 


80  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

committee  to  lay  out  a  road  to  the  state  of  Maine  &  to  pay  them 
for  it. 

Article  15  voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting  untill  Saturday  next 
at  10  o'clock  A.  M. 

J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. ^ 

Indlvn  Steeam  Ss.  Saturday  March  15th  1834. 
The  meeting  was  opened  according  to  adjournment. 
Personally  appeared  Sam'  Danforth  and   Moses   Thirston  and 
was  duly  quallified  and  admitted  members  of  the  assembly  agree- 
able to  the  constitution. 

J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 

Article  16  Chose  Jeremiah  Tabor,  no  1,  Kimball  B.  Fletcher, 
no.  2,  David  Rowell,  no.  3,  Jon^  Hartwell,  no.  4,  Simon  Danforth, 
no.  5,  Enoch  Carr,  no.  6,  Sam'  Huggins,  no.  7,  Phinehas  Willard, 
no.  8,  David  Johnson,  no.  9,  highway  Surveyors. 

Article  17th  Voted  that  Capt.  John  McConnell  be  taken  from 
district  No.  5  and  added  on  to  district  No.  4. 

Article  18th  Chose  Elisha  P.  Tabor,  Luther  Parker,  David 
Mitchell  Select  men. 

Article  19th  Chose  Col.  Samuel  Huggins  Coroner. 

Article  20th  Chose  Jeremiah  Tabor,  Luther  Parker,  Rich"^  I. 
Blanchard  Committee  on  Roads. 

Article  21  Chose  Simon  Danforth,  Burleigh  Blood  to  look  out 
the  Eastern  road. 

The  Clerk  had  leave  of  absence.  Chose  Alanson  Cumings  Clerk 
Pro  tem. 

voted  that  the  Committee  on  the  Eastern  road  Bill  attend  to 
their  Duty  as  soon  as  Convenient. 

voted  that  the  Act  to  support  Government  be  passed. 

voted  that  John  A.  Mitchel  be  Collector. 

voted  to  Close  this  meeting. 

Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk  pro  tem.'^ 

The  acts  passed  by  the  assembly  of  1834  are  as 
follows,  the  first  having  been  voted  on  March  10,  and 
the  remainder  at  the  adjourned  meeting  on  the  15th:* 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  81 

An  Act  Regulating  IVIahriages 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
assembly  convened  that  from  the  passing  of  this  act,  every  ordained 
Elder  or  minister  of  the  gospel  and  every  Justice  of  the  peace  who 
are  commissioned  in  this  place  shall  be  and  hereby  are  authorized 
and  empowered  to  solemnize  marriage  between  persons  who  may 
lawfully  enter  mto  that  relation. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  persons  joined  in  marriage 
by  any  minister  or  Justice  shall  pay  therefor  to  said  minister  or 
Justice  the  sum  of  one  dollar. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  all  persons  desiring  to  be  Joined 
in  marriage  shall  have  such  their  desire  or  intention  pubhshed  at 
three  several  publick  meeting  days  or  three  Sabbath  days  in  this 
place  by  the  Clerk  and  shall  produce  to  the  minister  or  Justice 
who  shall  be  desired  to  marry  them  a  certificate  of  such  publish- 
ment under  the  hand  of  the  Clerk  and  shall  pay  to  the  Clerk 
twenty  five  cents  for  such  certificate. 

Signed    Nath^'  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Judd,  E.  P. 
T.VBOR,  John  Haynes,  Councillors  of  Indian  Stream. 

Passed  March  10th,  1834. 
Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


Indian  Stream  Ss.  March  10,  1834. 
Then  personally  appear'd  W"  Wliite  Russel  White  David  S. 
Howell  Samuel  Huggins  Goodrich  Coats  James  Abbot  Rufus 
Brockway  Enos  Rowell  Simon  Danforth  and  Joseph  Watts  and 
were  duly  qualified  and  admitted  members  of  the  assembly  agree- 
able to  the  constitution. 

John  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 

Indian  Stream  Ss.  March  loth  1834. 
Then  personally  appeared  Samuel  Danforth  and  Moses  Thirs- 
ton  and  were  duly  quallified  and  admitted  members  of  the  assem- 
bly agreeable  to  the  constitution. 

J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Prevent  Vexatious  Suits  at  Law 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  assembly  of  Indian  Stream  that 
from  and  after  the  passing  of  this  act  no  creditor  sliall  for  any  con- 
tract thereafter  made  recover  before  any  court  in  Indian  Stream 
6 


82  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

aforesaid  more  cost  of  suit  than  debt  or  damage  shall  amount  to 
by  the  consideration  and  decision  of  the  court  before  whom  the 
trial  shall  be  had  provided  said  debt  or  damage  shall  not  exceed 
two  dollars. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  the  creditor  who  plants  an  action 
as  aforesaid  shall  be  held  for  all  the  cost  lawfully  taxed  by  the 
court  aforesaid  the  same  as  he  or  she  would  have  been  had  not  the 
aforesaid  act  been  passed. 

Signed    Nathi-  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Judd,  John 
Haynes,  E.  p.  Tabor,  Councillors  of  Indian  Stream. 

Passed  March  15,  1834. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  for  the  Punishment  of  Assault  and  Battery  and 
Murder 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
assembly  convened  that  if  any  person  shall  make  an  assault  & 
Battery  on  another  on  conviction  thereof  shall  be  imprisoned 
not  exceeding  six  months  be  fined  not  exceeding  ten  dollars  and 
pay  cost  of  prosecution  any  or  all  of  the  above  at  the  discretion 
of  the  court  before  whom  such  person  was  convicted. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  if  any  person  shall  commit  willful 
murder  such  person  shall  on  conviction  thereof  suffer  death. 

Signed   Nath^^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Judd,  John 

Haynes,  E.  P.  Tabor,  Councillors  of  Indian  Stream. 
Passed  March  15,  1834. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Provide  for  Laying  out  and  Discontinuing  Public 
Roads  or  Highways 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream 
in  general  Assembly  convened  that  from  &  after  the  passing  of  this 
act  there  shall  be  chosen  a  committe  of  three  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  on  petition  of  any  ten  inhabitants  of  this  place  to  examine  any 
proposed  route  for  a  road  or  any  discontinuance  of  road  and  in 
all  cases  where  they  are  of  opinion  that  the  publick  good  requires 
said  road  to  be  laid  out  or  discontinued  to  lay  out  &  make  a  survey 
of  the  same  or  order  the  road  to  be  discontinued  and  lodge  a  copy 
of  their  doings  with  the  Clerk  for  record. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  83 

2d.  And  be  it  further  enacted  that  said  committee  are  author- 
ized to  appraise  all  damage  sustained  by  any  individual  by  reason 
of  such  road  taking  at  all  times  into  consideration  the  benefit 
said  individual  may  receive  by  said  road  or  the  discontinuance 
of  the  old  road  and  give  an  order  on  the  treasurer  for  the  payment 
of  said  damage. 

3d.  And  be  it  further  enacted  that  whenever  said  committe 
lay  out  a  road  where  in  their  opinion  the  publick  good  does  not 
require  said  road  to  be  kept  open  they  shall  authorize  the  owners 
whose  land  was  taken  for  said  road  to  erect  so  many  gates  across 
said  road  as  they  thmk  expedient  and  authorize  said  landholders 
to  keep  said  gates  shut  from  the  first  day  of  May  to  the  first  of 
November. 

4th.  And  be  it  further  enacted  that  said  committe  shall  order 
said  gates  to  be  removed  at  any  time  when  the  publick  good  requires 
an  open  road  and  appraise  and  pay  the  damage  sustained  by  making 
such  road  open  as  provided  in  the  2nd  section  of  this  Act. 

5th.  And  be  it  further  enacted  that  in  all  cases  where  any 
person  shall  remove  or  leave  open  any  gate  authorized  by  law  to 
be  kept  across  any  road  they  shall  be  liable  in  an  action  of  trespass 
the  same  as  though  they  had  broke  open  a  private  close. 

6th.  And  be  it  further  enacted  that  said  committee  shall  receive 
one  dollar  per  day  for  their  services  &  pay  reasonable  compensation 
for  all  assistance  they  may  receive  in  discharge  of  their  official 
duty  by  giving  to  each  other  &  their  assistants  orders  on  the 
highway  surveyors  of  their  several  districts  which  orders  shall  be 
received  by  said  surveyors  in  payment  of  their  several  highway 
taxes. 

Signed   Nathi^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Jxtdd,  John 
Haines,  E.  P.  T.\bor,  Councillors. 

Passed  March  15,  1834. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Raise  and  Assess  a  Tax  for  JVIaking  and  Repairing 
Highways  and  Bridges 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
Assembly  convened  that  the  select  men  assess  a  tax  of  three  hundred 
dollars  for  making  &  repairing  highways  and  bridges  the  ensueing 
year  to  be  apportioned  among  the  several  districts  and  paid  in 
labor  allowing  to  each  able  bodied  man  finding  his  diet  &  tools 
(leaving  it  discretionary  witli  the  survevors  to  allow  for  extra  tools 


84  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

as  they  think  right)  one  dollar  per  day  for  labor  done  previous  to 
the  middle  of  September  &  after  that  time  seventy  five  cents  per 
day  and  oxen  the  same. 

Signed    Nath^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  John  Haines,  E.  P. 

Tabor,  Nathan  Judd,  Coimcil. 
Passed  March  15, 1834. 
Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Raise  a  Tax  for  Support  of  Government  and 
Defray  Necessary  Expenses 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  general 
assembly  convened  that  the  select  men  assess  a  tax  of  seventy 
five  dollars  to  be  collected  &  paid  into  the  treasury  by  the  first 
day  of  February  next  to  be  paid  in  wheat  grass  seed  oats  or  rye 
at  the  then  going  price  in  cash  or  cash. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  on  the  first  day  of  February  next 
the  treasurer  shall  hand  all  tax  bills  remaining  in  his  possession 
to  the  collector  who  shall  collect  them  and  all  taxes  collected  by 
the  collector  shall  be  paid  in  cash. 

Signed  Nath^^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Judd,  E.  P. 
Tabor,  Council. 

Passed  March  15,  1834. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  Making  Provision  for  Confinement  of  Criminals 

Whereas  there  is  no  gaol  within  the  bounds  of  Indian  Stream 
and  whereas  there  has  been  &  may  be  criminal  offences  com- 
mitted against  the  peace  &  dignity  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian 
Stream  by  persons  who  after  convicted  thereof  refuse  or  neglect 
to  perform  the  sentence  of  the  court  before  whom  the  s<*  respon- 
dent was  convicted  and  bid  defiance  to  the  Law  of  the  land,  There- 
fore to  remedy  the  evils  aforesaid  &  others  which  may  arise. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  general  assembly  of  Indian  Stream  that 
from  &  after  the  passing  of  this  act  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
sheriff  of  s^  Indian  Stream  and  shall  be  Lawful  for  him  when 
commanded  so  to  do  by  the  court  before  whom  any  criminal  shall 
be  convicted  as  afo.'esaid  to  confine  him  or  them  in  his  own  dwelling 
house  outhouse  or  any  other  building  by  him  provided  or  by  any 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  afores''  until  the  sentence  of 
the  court  before  whom  s<^  respondent  shall  be  convicted. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  85 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  if  any  person  or  persons  who 
after  convicted  of  any  criminal  offence  as  afors'^  and  sentenced 
by  any  court  lawfully  authorized  so  to  do  to  stand  committed  till 
sentence  be  performed  shall  behave  himself  hostile  or  attempt  to 
make  his  escape  it  shall  be  Lawful  for  s"^  Sheriff  to  bind  him  the 
s*^  prisoner  or  confine  him  in  that  way  he  shall  think  most  proper 
and  convenient  for  his  the  s"^  prisoners  safe  keeping  without 
abusing  him  the  s'*  prisoner  vmnecessarily  until  the  s"^  sentence 
shall  be  remitted  by  the  council  of  s"*  Indian  Stream  and  the 
sheriff  afores^  directed  by  them  to  liberate  s<*  prisoner  which  the 
council  are  authorized  to  do  when  they  think  the  public  good 
requires. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  prisoner  afores^  shall  be 
supported  by  the  sheriff  who  shall  have  him  in  custody  &  his 
property  be  liable  for  the  cost  of  keeping  &  in  aU  cases  where  the 
prisoner  has  not  property  to  defray  such  expence  the  sheriff  shall 
be  remvmerated  for  such  reasonable  expence  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Indian  Stream. 

Signed   Nath''  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Judd,  John 
Haines,  E.  P.  Tabob,  Councillors  of  Indian  Stream. 

Passed  March  15,  1834. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


An  Act  Authorizing  the  Sheriff  to  Appoint  Deputies 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  assembly  of  Indian  Stream  that 
the  sheriff  of  this  place  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  deputy  or 
deputies  under  him  for  whose  conduct  in  office  he  shall  be  account- 
able, and  shall  or  his  deputy  serve  and  execute  within  this  place 
all  writs  &  precepts  to  him  directed  issuing  from  lawful  authority. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  it  shall  be  Lawful  for  any  Justice 
of  the  peace  in  this  place  to  direct  any  writ  or  precept  to  the  sheriff 
or  either  of  his  deputies  so  appointed  by  said  sheriff,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  serve  the  same  and  s<*  deputies  shall  be  allowed  the 
same  fees  for  their  services  as  is  by  law  allowed  to  the  high  sheriff 
for  like  services. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  sheriff  shall  give  bond  to 
the  acceptance  of  the  council  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  official 
duty,  and  if  it  should  so  happen  that  the  sheriff  or  deputy  shall 
refuse  or  neglect  to  pay  over  any  money  or  property  by  liim  or 
them  collected  on   being  requested  by  the  person  or  persons  for 


86  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

whom  such  money  was  collected  the  creditor  or  creditors   shall 
have  a  right  to  an  action  against  the  Sheriff  for  the  same. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  all  writs  or  executions  issued 
against  the  sheriff  shall  be  directed  to  the  coroner  who  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  assembly  and  commissioned  by  the  council,  who 
is  authorized  &  empowered  to  serve  &  execute  the  same  and 
shall  be  allowed  the  same  fees  as  is  by  law  allowed  to  the  sheriff 
for  similar  service. 

Signed    Nath'^  Perkins,  David  Mitchell,  Nathan  Judd,  John 
Haines,  E.  P.  Tabor,  Council. 

Passed  March  15,  1834. 
Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell, 

[Resolve  for  a  Road  to  Maine] 

Whereas  a  commmiication  has  been  received  by  this  Govern- 
ment from  Doct'^  Josiah  Prescott  of  Farmington  in  the  state  of 
Maine  on  the  subject  of  a  contemplated  road  to  open  a  communi- 
cation from  this  settlement  to  the  state  of  Maine  &  expressing 
a  desire  to  meet  a  deputation  from  this  place  at  or  near  the  State 
line  to  look  out  and  consult  on  the  best  course  and  most  practicable 
ground  combining  shortness  of  distance  for  such  road  &  consider- 
ing the  advantages  that  would  arise  to  the  people  of  this  place  if 
they  could  have  an  open  road  from  this  to  the  markets  in  the  state 
of  Maine  Therefore  Resolved  by  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream 
in  General  assembly  convened  to  appoint  two  men  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  go  through  and  look  out  the  best  course  for  a  road 
to  the  line  of  the  State  of  Maine  &  if  they  should  Judge  it  neces- 
sary to  go  as  far  as  the  settlements  in  the  state  of  Maine  and  ascer- 
tain as  near  as  they  can  the  prospect  of  the  people  there  making 
a  road  to  the  state  line  the  distance  from  the  line  to  where  there 
is  now  a  good  road  and  the  distance  to  their  market  &  also  the 
distance  it  will  be  necessary  to  cut  a  road  from  this  settlement  to 
the  State  line,  and  obtain  such  other  information  on  the  subject  as 
they  shall  deem  necessary  and  report  their  doings  to  the  council. 

And  be  it  further  resolved  that  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream 
compensate  s"*  committee  for  their  time  and  trouble  in  attending 
to  the  duties  of  their  appointment  on  presenting  their  account  to 
the  Council  the  same  being  allowed  by  the  council  shall  draw  an 
order  on  the  treasurer  for  the  same. 

Signed    NathI'    Perkins,    David    Mitchell,    E.   P.    Tabor, 
Nathan  Judd,  John  Haines,  Council. 

Passed  March  15,  1834. 

Attest  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Clerk. 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  87 

NOTES 

14,  pp.  32,  33. 
24,  pp.  33,  34. 
3  For  the  acts  of  1834,  C,  pp.  22-27. 


CHAPTER   12 

The  Assembly  of  1835 

Indian  Stream,  March  9,  1835. 
Personally    appeared    Seargant    Currier,    David    Smith,    Benj. 
Applebee,  Levi  Applebee,  and  were  duly  qualified  and  Admitted 
Members  of  the  Assembly  Agreeable  to  the  Constitution. 

Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk.^ 

There  are  no  further  minutes  for  March  9,  and  there 
is  no  record  of  legislation  for  that  date.  Another  meet- 
ing was  held  on  April  18  of  the  same  year,  and  the 
following  acts  are  recorded: 

An  Act  to  Prevent  Unlawful  Services 
Whereas  Services  of  writs  have  been  made  in  this  place  known 
by  the  name  of  Indian  Stream  by  persons  not  Authorised  by  the 
Constitution  and  laws  thereof  therefore  be  It  Enacted  by  the 
Inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General  Assembly  Convened  that 
if  any  person  or  persons  not  being  A  Sheriff  deputy  Sheriff  or 
other  officer  whos  duty  it  shall  bee  to  Serve  writs  &  precepts  keep 
the  peace  or  apprehend  persons  for  voilating  the  Same  duly  author- 
ised by  the  laws  &  Constitution  of  Indian  Stream  living  or  residing 
within  the  bounds  of  Indian  Stream  or  the  United  States  of  America 
Shall  pretend  to  be  Any  or  Either  of  Sd  officers  &  Shall  pretend  or 
presume  to  Act  as  Such  in  all  or  any  of  the  duties  belonging  to  the 
office  of  Sheriff  deputy  Sheriff  or  any  other  officer  who  is  duly 
Authorised  by  the  laws  &  Constitution  of  Sd  Indian  Stream  to  per- 
form the  duties  afforesaid  Shall  upon  Conviction  of  any  Such 
offence  forfeit  &  pay  a  fine  not  Exceding  one  hundred  Dollars 
According  to  the  nature  &  Circumstance  of  the  offence,  At  the 
discretion  of  the  Court  before  whom  the  Conviction  Shall  be  one 
moity  of  which  fine  Shall  be  to  the  use  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Sd 
Indian  Stream  the  other  moity  for  the  use  of  any  person  who  Shall 
Sue  for  the  Same  before  any  Justice  of  Sd  Indian  Stream  and  if 
unable  to  pay  Shall  be  Confined  in  Goal  untill  Sd  is  paid  or  dis- 
charged by  the  Council  of  Sd  Indian  Stream 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  89 

And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  authority  afforesaid  that  if  any 
of  the  above  Mentioned  officers  violations  or  pretended  authority 
Shall  be  Committed  performed  acted  or  done  in  presents  of  any 
one  of  the  Council  Justice  of  the  Peace  Sheriff  deputy  Sheriff  or  any 
other  officer  whos  duty  it  Is  to  keep  the  peace  in  this  place  & 
authorised  by  the  Constitution  &  laws  of  Indian  Stream  So  to  do  it 
Shall  be  the  duty  of  that  Counsellor  Justice  of  the  Peace  Sheriff 
deputy  Sheriff  or  any  other  officer  of  the  peace  as  afforesaid  &  they 
are  hereby  authorized  &  Empowered  to  Comand  or  request  Such 
assistance  as  is  Sufficient  to  arrest  &  keep  in  Custody  any  person 
or  persons  so  offending  untill  due  process  may  be  had  by  law  against 
Such  offender. 

And  be  it  Further  Enacted  if  any  person  or  persons  Shall  when 
So  requested  or  Commanded  neglect  or  refuse  to  Give  Such  aid  or 
assistance  Such  person  or  persons  on  Conviction  thereof  before  any 
Justice  of  the  peace  in  this  place  Shall  be  find  in  sum  not  Exceding 
ten  dollars  nor  less  than  three  dollars  to  the  use  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
Indian  Stream  &  if  unable  to  pay  Shall  be  Confined  in  Goal  not 
Exceding  three  months  at  the  discretion  of  the  Court  before  whom 
the  Conviction  Shall  be. 

Signd     Richard  I.  Blanchard,  Burleigh  Blood,  Wm.  White, 
Jeremiah  Tabour,  Council. 

Passd  April  18,  1835. 

Atest  Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk. 


An  Act  ix  Case  of  Perjury 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Assembly  of  Indian  Stream  that  any 
person  taking  the  oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  Constitution  of  Indian 
Stream  Teritory  who  shall  Commit  Perjury  by  violating  Sd  oath 
and  Acting  in  Contrariety  to  sd  Constitution  his  or  their  names 
shall  be  Stricken  from  the  roll  and  Shall  thereafter  be  renderd 
incapable  to  Give  testimony  in  any  Court  within  the  territory  of 
Indian  Stream  And  Conviction  of  the  Same  before  a  justice  Court 
Shall  be  fined  not  Exceding  twenty  five  dollars  nor  less  than  one 
Dollar  at  the  Discretion  of  the  Court  or  justice  Before  whom  the 
Conviction  Shall  be  made. 

And  be  it  further  Enacted  that  if  any  person  after  Conviction 
of  Perjury  by  any  Court  Qualified  to  try  the  Same  within  the 
Teritory  of  Indian  Stream  Shall  by  application  to  the  Assembly  of 
Sd  Indian  Stream  and  obtaining  a  vote  of  two  tliirds  of  the  mem- 


90  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

bers  of  Sd  Assembly  to  that  EfiPect  be  restored  to  law  in  Admiting 
his  testimony  in  the  Court  of  Indian  Stream 

Signed    Richard  I.  Blanchard,  Burleigh  Blood,  Wm.  White, 

Jeremiah  Tabour,  Council. 
Passed  April  18,  1835. 

Attest  Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk 


An  Act  to  Protect  Officers  in  Their  Official  Duties 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Assembly  of  Indian  Stream  Convened  that 
from  &  After  the  passing  of  this  Act  that  if  Any  person  or  persons 
Shall  Injure  or  hinder  Any  officer  judical  or  Execitive  Civil  or 
military  under  the  authority  of  this  Teritory  in  the  Execution  of  his 
office  Such  person  or  persons  on  Conviction  thereof  Shall  pay  A  fine 
not  Exceding  one  hundred  dollars  to  be  left  At  the  discretion  of  the 
[court]  before  whom  the  Same  Shall  be  tried  one  moity  to  the 
Inhabitants  of  Sd  Indian  Stream  the  other  to  the  Complainant 
if  unable  to  [pay]  sd  fine  Shall  be  Confined  in  Goal  untill  Said  Fine 
is  paid  or  discharged  by  order  of  the  Council  of  Sd  Indian  Stream 

Signed    Richard  I.  Blanchard,  Burleigh  Blood,  Wm.  White, 
Jeremiah  Tabour,  Council. 

Passed  April  18,  1835. 

Attest  Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk. 


An  Act  to  Compel  Witnesses  to  Attend  When  Summoned 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
assembly  Convened  that  Each  witness  upon  being  Summoned  to 
Attend  any  Court  to  be  held  in  this  place  and  having  four  Cents  per 
mile  and  thirty  Cents  for  one  half  days  Attendance  tenderd  him 
shall  obey  Said  Summons  of  Court  unless  disabled  by  the  hand 
of  Providence  under  pain  of  forff citing  five  dollars. 

And  Be  it  Further  Enacted  that  no  witness  Shall  Be  required  to 
attend  on  any  Court  more  than  Six  hours  unless  his  fees  for  an 
Additional  half  day  are  tendered  him  in  Advance. 

And  be  it  further  Enacted  that  all  fines  for  nonattendancfe  of 
witnesses  may  be  Collected  before  any  Court  proper  to  try  the  Same. 

And  be  it  further  Enacted  that  all  monies  So  Collected  to  be  paid 
into  the  Treasury  for  the  use  of  the  Inhabitants. 

Signed    Richard  I.  Blanchard,  Burleigh  Blood,  Wm.  White, 
Jeremiah  Tabour,  Counsel. 

Passed  April  18, 1835. 

Attest  Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  91 

An  Act  in  Amendment  of  an  Act  in  Regulating  Sheriff  Fees 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  Convened 
that  from  and  After  the  passing  of  this  Act  the  Sheriff  or  his  deptys 
Shall  have  Six  Cents  per  mile  for  travel  in  performing  his  official 
duty  and  draw  travel  fees  but  one  way. 

And  be  it  Further  Enacted  that  no  Court  Shall  Allow  the  Sheriff 
any  fees  for  Attending  Court  unless  reqested  by  Sd  Court  to  Attend 
or  Either  of  the  Contending  parties  Excepting  in  Criminal  Cases 
then  It  Shall  be  the  Duty  of  the  Sheriff  to  Attend. 

Signed    Richard  I.  Blanchard,  Jeremiah  Tabour,  Burleigh 
Blood,  Wm.  White,  Council. 

Passed  April  18,  1835. 

Atest  Alanson  Cummings,  Clerk. 


An  Act  Authorising  the  Council  to  Deliver  Over  in  Cases 

Be  it  Enacted  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  in  General 
Assembly  Convened  that  from  and  After  the  passing  of  this  Act 
in  Case  that  if  Persons  Shall  for  any  Capital  Crime  Such  As  murder 
or  theft  or  forgery  or  any  other  high  Crime  or  misdemeanor  Shall 
Escape  from  any  other  Government  &  Come  to  this  place  It  Shall 
Be  the  duty  of  the  Council  By  Application  Being  made  to  them  to 
Cause  Such  persons  to  be  arrested  After  Conviction  to  be  deliverd 
over  to  the  authority  Demanding  the  Same  Provided  the  Com- 
plainant Shall  pay  the  Expense  of  the  Same 

Signed    Richard  I.  Blanchard,  Jeremiah  Tabour,  Burleigh 
Blood,  Wm.  White,  Council. 

Passed  April  18,  1835. 

Attest  Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk. 


Indian  Stream  April  18  1835. 
Personaly  Apeared  Amos  Tyler  Marcus  Beacher  and  were  duly 
qualified  and  Admited  members  of  the  Assembly  Agreeable  to  the 
Constitution  Alanson  Cumings,  Clerk. 

The  above  acts  and  minutes  comprise  the  business 
of  the  assembly  of  April  18,  1835.  An  item  of  busi- 
ness which  was  presumably  outside  of  the  activities  of 
that  legislative  body  is  indicated  by  the  following 
record  in  the  clerk's  book,  which  is  the  last  service  to 
us  of  the  original  manuscripts  of  Indian  Stream. 


92  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

This  may  certify  to  all  it  May  Concern  that  Isaac  Lindsay  and 
Deborah  Rogers  are  Lawfully  Joined  in  Marriage  by 

Samuel  Drown,  Minister.^ 
Indian  Stream,  April  18,  1835. 
Received  for  Record  &  Recorded  By 
A.  CuMiNGS,  Regr. 

NOTES 

1  Minutes  and  acts  of  1835,  C,  pp.  29-32. 

2  C,  p.  335. 


CHAPTER  13 
Rival  Claims  to  Indian  Stream 

From  the  character  of  the  above  recorded  legislation 
it  is  evident  that  the  course  of  government  at  Indian 
Stream  did  not  run  smoothly.  As  a  matter  of  fact  the 
sources  of  trouble  already  mentioned,  both  internal 
and  external,  still  continued  to  exist. 

The  enactments  relating  to  the  support  of  the  sheriff 
and  courts,  the  provision  for  a  jail,  and  the  compulsion 
of  witnesses  and  others  to  obey  summonses,  show  clearly 
that  the  tendency  of  the  community  was  continually  to 
revert  to  the  conditions  under  which  it  had  labored 
prior  to  the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  when  the 
decisions  of  its  courts  had  amounted  to  recommen- 
dations rather  than  mandates.  There  was  no  suitable 
place  of  detention,  and  that  lack,  together  with  the 
close  proximity  of  territory  outside  the  realm  of  Indian 
Stream  jurisdiction,  without  doubt  contributed  in  no 
small  measure  to  disobedience. 

The  more  aggravating  source  of  trouble,  however, 
was  external — the  ambiguous  boundary  line  and  the 
double  interference  of  Canada  and  the  United  States. 
We  have  already  seen  that  in  1831  both  governments 
had  caused  Indian  Stream  no  small  annoyance,  the 
first  by  asserting  a  claim  to  military  service,  and  the 
second  by  the  collection  of  customs  duties.^  The  state 
of  New  Hampshire,  too,  through  the  authorities  of  Coos 
county,  continued  to  attempt  the  exercise  of  jurisdic- 
tion by  the  serving  of  warrants  in  Indian  Stream. 

Of  the  aggressions  from  external  sources  the  act  of 
April  18,  1835,  directed  against  the  service  of  writs  and 


94  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

precepts  by  unlawful  authority,  speaks  plainly,  and 
would  be  evidence  enough  even  without  the  support  of 
fact. 

There  is,  however,  the  recorded  fact  as  well.  In 
September,  1832,  Moody  Haynes,  arrested  and  bound 
over  to  appear  before  the  court  of  common  pleas,  Coos 
county,  pleaded  to  the  jurisdiction  of  said  court '^ 
because  the  cause  of  complaint  accrued  "at  Indian 
Stream  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut  river 
in  the  territory  of  Indian  Stream,"  outside  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  court.  The  plea  was  overruled,  but  the 
case  was  settled. 

Again,  in  a  deposition  of  August  3,  1836,  Luther 
Fuller  declares  that  "several  years  since,  the  state  of 
New  Ham.pshire  commenced  prosecution  against  one 
Ebenezer  Fletcher  and  some  others  for  intruding  upon 
lands  in  Indian  Stream  Territory."^  The  "several 
years  since"  may  be  understood  to  refer  to  a  time  at 
least  as  early  as  1832. 

In  another  deposition,  dated  October  7,  1836,  Horace 
Loomis  states  that  he  has  served  writs  in  Indian  Stream 
in  the  name  of  Coos  county  "from  time  to  time  until 
May,  1834."^  Milton  Harvey  also,  during  the  same 
year,  went  from  Colebrook  to  Indian  Stream  and  served 
process  on  a  certain  Burrill,  and  conveyed  him  to  Cole- 
brook  for  trial,  and  in  February  and  March  of  1835 
served  still  others,  but  was  resisted  in  the  attempt  to 
attach  property.^ 

The  events  of  1834  were  so  irritating  that  on  Septem- 
ber 2  the  council  of  Indian  Stream  addressed  a  memo- 
rial to  the  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States 
setting  forth  their  claim  to  be  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  general  government,  but  not  under  that  of  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire;  and  on  the  same  day  for- 
warded a  petition  to   Sheriff  John  H.  White  of  Coos 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  95 

county,  praying  him  to  suspend  the  exercise  of  his 
authority  until  the  boundary  hne  should  have  been 
settled.^ 

The  replies  to  these  addresses  were  not  such  as  to 
allay  the  irritation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream. 
Attorney-General  Forsyth  summed  up  his  view  by 
saying:  "If  you  are  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  as  has  always  been  maintained  by  this  govern- 
ment, it  is  because  you  are  within  the  limits  of  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire."^ 

The  reply  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  to  the 
petition  of  September  2,  addressed  to  the  sheriff,  was 
no  less  explicit.  On  September  18  Chief  Justice 
Richardson  advised  Sheriff  White  by  letter  that  "it 
will  be  the  duty  of  courts  to  enforce  the  laws  coexten- 
sively  with  the  territory  which  the  state  claims,"  and 
that  the  "wisest  and  safest  course  will  be  to  take  the 
advice  of  the  executive  and  follow  that";^  and  on 
January  17,  1835,  the  council  received  from  the  sheriff 
a  communication  to  the  effect  that  the  state  intended 
to  assert  full  jurisdiction  over  the  disputed  territory.* 

With  this  growth  of  determination  on  the  part  of 
New  Hampshire  and  the  general  government  there 
developed  among  the  settlers  of  Indian  Stream  a  hostile 
attitude  of  mind  toward  the  authority  which  had  now 
become  the  main  source  of  their  disquiet.  A  great 
number  of  those  serious-minded  citizens  who  had 
framed  and  put  into  operation  the  constitution  of 
Indian  Stream,  and  had  adopted  (whether  with  perfect 
right  or  not)  the  view  that  their  government  constituted 
a  territory  of  the  United  States  independent  of  New 
Hampshire,  became  intensely  excited.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  argue  that  this  policy  of  resistance  was 
upheld  also  by  those,  not  few  in  number,  whose  residence 
on  the  disputed  soil  was  due  to  their  unwillingness  or 


96  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

inability    to    reside    under    the    stricter    authority    of 
recognized  Canadian  or  American  territory. 

It  will  now  be  easily  understood  how  the  formation  of 
a  Canadian  party  of  considerable  dimensions  was 
possible.  The  claims  of  tlije  British  government  had 
never  been  asserted  with  much  force  or  persistence. 
While  it  never  lost  sight  of  the  treaty  of  1783  and  its 
reference  to  the  northwesternmost  headwaters  of  the 
Connecticut,  and  of  the  award  of  1827,  its  interference 
was  rare,  and  depended  for  the  greater  part  upon  the 
initiative  of  the  oflBcious  Justice  Alexander  Rea  of 
Hereford,  just  across  Hall's  Stream,  some  six  miles 
from  Fletcher's  Mills,  the  most  thickly  populated  place 
in  Indian  Stream.  Between  the  two  national  govern- 
ments it  seems  to  have  been  assumed  that  the  line  had 
not  yet  been  really  established,  and  that  the  proper 
principle  on  which  to  proceed  was  the  recognition  of 
the  authority  of  the  party  actually  in  possession  until 
such  time  as  a  final  adjustment  should  have  taken  place. 

Those  settlers,  therefore,  who,  whether  from  pure 
motives  or  otherwise,  resented  the  interference  of  New 
Hampshire,  naturally  developed  a  friendly  sentiment 
toward  Canada,  the  one  of  the  two  neighbors  which  had 
caused  them  less  trouble,  and  which,  on  the  whole, 
seemed  also  the  less  likely  to  give  them  trouble  in  the 
future.  When  the  reply  of  the  Attorney- General  of  the 
United  States  had  been  received,  and  hope  of  recogni- 
tion by  the  general  government  had  disappeared,  an 
address  was  prepared  and  forwarded  to  the  Governor 
of  Lower  Canada,  by  a  separate  committee  according 
to  one  authority,^"  or  by  the  council  itself  according  to 
a  report  of  Adjutant-General  Low  dated  November  16, 
1835.^^  The  address  stated  that  "whereas  said  in- 
habitants are  unable  to  defend  ourselves  against  said 
state,  we,  the  undersigned,  in  behalf  of  said  inhabitants, 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM    REPUBLIC  97 

pray  Your  Excellency  to  take  our  case  under  your  wise 
consideration,  and  grant  us  such  relief  as  you  in  your 
wisdom  shall  judge  proper  and  just,  for  we  expect  new 
invasions. "^^  This  petition,  according  to  General  Low, 
had  been  signed  by  sixty  out  of  the  seventy-five  voters 
of  Indian  Stream. ^^  The  New  Hampshire  Patriot  of 
May  16,  1835,  refers  to  sixty-four  signers,  and  to  official 
assurance  given  them  from  Canada  that  they  would  be 
protected  against  aggression  the  same  as  other  British 
subjects. 

Even  prior  to  this  time  there  is  evidence  that  there 
existed  a  Canadian  party  of  some  strength  in  the  settle- 
ment, and  that  there  was  also  a  party  determined  to 
hold  the  disputed  territory  for  New  Hampshire.  The 
population  had  resolved  itself  generally  into  two 
hostile  factions.  Those  who  favored  the  state  called 
themselves  "the  New  Hampshire  boys." 

In  the  early  part  of  1834,  not  long  after  the  purchase 
of  the  mill  property  by  Luther  and  Asa  Parker,  and  their 
removal  from  the  Lake  farm  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Fletcher's  Mills,  near  the  mouth  of  Back  Lake  brook, 
a  company  of  Canadian  sympathizers  appeared  one 
morning  at  the  store,  which  was  in  the  front  part  of  the 
Parker  residence.  Charles,  the  seven-years-old  son  of 
Luther  Parker,  told  his  father  of  their  presence.  After 
a  brief  scrutiny  of  the  company  through  an  aperture  in 
the  door  which  led  from  the  living  rooms  to  the  store, 
Luther  Parker  entered  the  store,  took  his  usual  position 
behind  the  counter,  reached  for  his  rifle,  and  laid  it 
down  before  him.  In  a  moment  Asa  Parker  also 
entered,  carrying  two  horse-pistols,  took  a  position 
beside  his  brother,  and  laid  his  weapons  on  the  counter 
beside  the  rifle.  The  two  stood  there,  Luther  Parker 
idly  rolling  a  ball  into  and  out  of  his  rifle-barrel,  until 
their  visitors,  convinced  that  the  intended  attempt  at 
arrest  was  hopeless,  left  the  place. 


98  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

It  was  not  long  after  this  incident  that  Luther  Parker 
carried  from  his  mill  yard  to  the  rear  of  the  house  and 
store,  for  safe  keeping,  the  lumber  of  an  inhabitant  who 
was  indebted  to  him,  and  would  give  no  assurance  of  a 
discharge  of  the  obligation.  The  ire  aroused  by  this 
and  the  store  incident  was  the  prime  cause  of  an  event 
which  soon  followed. 

Sometime  during  the  spring  word  was  brought  Mr. 
Parker  from  a  certain  Thurston,  who  lived  some  dis- 
tance up  the  Connecticut,  that  he  had  reason  to  think 
that  a  Canadian  party  meant  to  arrest  him  that  night, 
and  that  he  wished  Mr.  Parker  to  come  and  stay  with 
him.  Mr.  Parker  armed  himself  and  started.  As  he 
was  proceeding  along  the  river  road,  suddenly,  in  the 
dark  between  the  forest  fringes  of  the  road,  he  met 
several  men.  Stopping  momentarily  to  accost  them, 
he  found  himself  held  firmly  in  their  grasp. 

"You  are  under  arrest,"  they  said. 

"In  whose  name.^*"  he  asked. 

"In  the  name  of  the  King,"  they  replied. 

His  captors  conducted  him  back  to  his  home,  where 
they  allowed  him  to  change  his  clothes  and  make  some 
provision  for  an  absence. 

His  rifle  stood  at  the  head  of  the  bed  as  he  made  his 
change  of  clothing.     One  of  the  men  took  it  up. 

"Put  that  gun  down!"  said  Mr.  Parker. 

The  man  still  held  the  gun. 

"Put  that  gun  down,  I  say,"  said  Mr.  Parker  a  second 
time,  with  deliberate  emphasis;  "and  I'm  not  going  to 
tell  you  again."  ^ 

This  time  the  man  put  the  gun  back  in  its  place. 

Alletta  Parker  was  in  the  other  room,  where  one  or 
two  men  remained.  One  of  them  was  Emor  Applebee 
from  the  mouth  of  Perry  Stream.  "The  old  lion  is  be- 
ginning to  roar,"  he  said  to  her,  maliciously. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  99 

Mr.  Parker's  captors  proceeded  with  him  down  the 
road  and  wQst  toward  Hall's  Stream  and  Canada.  As 
they  passed  Fletcher's  Mills,  less  than  a  mile  from  his 
own  mill,  he  called  to  Kimball  Fletcher,  then  twenty- 
four  years  old,  to  run  down  to  Clarksville  and  get  some- 
one to  go  to  Colebrook  for  a  lawyer.  The  story  of 
Fletcher's  adventure  on  the  way  to  Clarksville  in  the 
rain  and  dark  is  told  by  himself  in  the  Fergusson  history 
of  Coos  county.^^ 

Mr.  Parker  was  taken  into  Canada  and  released 
on  bail.  About  three  months  afterward  he  appeared 
before  the  justice  at  Sherbrooke  and  conducted  his 
own  case.  The  charge  against  him,  whose  particulars 
he  now  learned  for  the  first  time,  was  assault  and 
battery  upon  the  person  of  a  subject  of  His  Majesty. 
He  confronted  the  complainant,  one  Jonathan  C.  L. 
Knight,  and  in  short  time  proved  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  justice  the  flimsy  nature  of  the  complaint,  and 
was  immediately  discharged.  One  day,  in  his  own 
mill  yard,  he  had  declared  to  Knight  that  if  necessary 
he  would  resort  to  force  in  order  to  keep  Indian  Stream 
for  New  Hampshire.  Knight  charged  that  Mr.  Parker 
had  drawn  a  knife  on  him.  The  evidence  showed  that 
Mr.  Parker  had  been  merely  engaged  in  whittling  as  he 
talked,  and  Knight  himself,  on  examination  by  Mr. 
Parker,  admitted  the  fact.  On  Mr.  Parker's  return 
from  Sherbrooke  on  bail,  the  lumber  above  mentioned 
had  been  taken  from  his  yard. 

From  these  events  may  be  seen  Luther  Parker's 
position  as  a  partisan  of  New  Hampshire  in  the  Indian 
Stream  troubles.  At  first  a  framer  and  supporter  of  the 
constitution,  he  had  been  compelled  by  the  continued 
resistance  of  the  refractory  element  in  the  population 
to  foresee  the  impossibility  of  the  survival  of  the  Indian 
Stream  government,  or  of  law  and  order  of  any  kind 


100  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

without  the  support  of  external  authority.  Having 
come  to  this  conclusion,  he  became  an  acti\{e  supporter 
of  the  claim  of  New  Hampshire,  and  a  leader  among  the 
"New  Hampshire  boys."  Probably  some  time  in  1834 
he  drew  up  and  secured  signatures  for  a  petition  ad- 
dressed to  the  state  government,  and  in  person  laid  it 
before  the  Governor  at  Concord. 

These  facts  make  clear  the  animus  of  the  accusations 
against  him  contained  in  the  report  of  the  Canadian 
commissioners  to  Indian  Stream,  which  was  printed  in 
November,  1836,  together  with  the  report  of  the  Amer- 
ican commissioners.  This  report  credits  Luther  Parker 
with  having,  among  others,  taken  the  oath  to  support 
the  constitution  of  Indian  Stream,  and  having  been 
elected  a  member  of  the  council,  "but,  having  through 
misconduct  forfeited  the  confidence  of  the  inhabitants, 
they  ceased  to  elect  or  promote  him  to  any  office  under 
the  constitution,  in  consequence  of  which  he  became 
dissatisfied,  transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  gov't  of 
New  Hampshire,  and  has  ever  since  by  misrepresenta- 
tions to  that  gov't  and  by  all  other  means  in  his  power 
continued  to  harass  and  disturb  the  peace  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Indian  Stream,  and,  leagued  with  five  others,  he 
forwarded  a  petition  for  protection  to  the  gov't  of  New 
Hampshire  falsely  purporting  to  be  a  petition  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream,  but  in  reality  signed  by 
certain  inhabitants  of  Colebrook,  Stewartstown,  and 
Clarksville  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire."  The 
report  also  calls  His  Excellency's  attention  "in  an  es- 
pecial manner  to  Ephraim  C.  Aldrich  and  Luther 
Parker,  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream,"  the  latter  as 
"a  spy  and  general  disturber  of  the  peace. "^^ 

As  to  Luther  Parker's  having  forfeited  the  confidence 
of  the  people,  the  minutes  of  the  assembly  from  1832 
to  1834  are  sufficient  to  disprove  the  assertion,  even 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  101 

without  the  record  of  his  activities  in  the  actual  conduct 
of  the  Indian  Stream  difficulties  with  Canada. 

NOTES 
1  See  p.  54. 

*  Report  Indian  Stream  Com.,  pp.  219,  220. 
3  Ihid.,  p.  204. 

*  Ihid.,  p.  216. 

*  Ihid.,  p.  223. 

« Aldrich,  p.  386. 

nhid. 

8  Ihid.,  p.  387. 

'  Ihid.,  pp.  387-388. 

10  Ihid.,  p.  387. 

"  iV.  H.  Patriot,  Nov.  16,  1835. 

12  Aldrich,  p.  387. 

i»  N.  H.  Patriot,  Nov.  23,  1835. 

1*  Hist.  Coos  Co.,  p.  704. 

16  Report,  pp.  184-186;  cf.  244. 


CHAPTER  14 
The  Indian  Stream  War 

These  diflBculties  finally  came  to  a  head  in  1835. 
On  March  12  Deputy  W.  M.  Smith  attempted  the  ar- 
rest of  Clark  J.  Haynes  and  Reuben  Sawyer  of  Indian 
Stream  in  the  name  of  New  Hampshire,  but  was  beaten 
and  driven  out.  On  March  13  Milton  Harvey  of  Cole- 
brook  met  with  resistance  in  the  service  of  a  writ  and  at- 
tachment of  property  in  the  same  territory.  "The 
persons  against  whom  I  had  process,  and  others 
accompanying  them,  claimed  to  be  independent,  to  be 
an  independent  government  not  belonging  to  the 
governments  of  Great  Britain  or  the  United  States, 
independent  of  either  until  the  line  was  settled,"  says 
his  deposition.^ 

The  assembly  of  1835  had  convened  on  March  9,  a 
few  days  before  these  events.  Probably  as  a  result  of 
the  Smith  and  Harvey  incidents,  and  the  excitement 
caused  by  them,  the  assembly  came  together  again 
on  April  18  and  passed  the  acts  on  unlawful  serving  of 
process,  etc.,  whose  significance  has  already  been  re- 
corded. In  June  the  state  legislature  listened  to  a 
special  message  from  Governor  Badger,  and  as  a  result 
passed  a  resolution  to  the  effect  that  the  state  continue 
to  assert  its  authority  over  Indian  Stream,  and  "the 
Governor  be  requested  to  render  all  necessary  aid  to 
the  executive  oflScers  of  the  county  of  Coos  in  causing 
the  laws  of  said  state  to  be  duly  executed  within  the 
limits  of  said  territory. "^ 

Governor  Badger  thereupon  caused  Adjutant-General 
Joseph  Low  to  issue  an  order,  whose  consequence  was 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  103 

the  encampment  at  Stewartstown,  the  nearest  base  to 
Indian  Stream,  in  August,  of  Captain  James  Mooney 
and  the  Sixth  company  of  the  Twenty-Fourth  regiment 
of  mihtia,  to  be  in  readiness  to  support  Sheriff  White 
in  the  serving  of  process  in  the  troubled  country.  Cap- 
tain Mooney's  company  consisted  of  fifty  men.^  They 
were  not  actually  called  upon  until  November. 

About  the  first  of  October  Justice  Alexander  Ilea  of 
Hereford  sent  to  Jeremiah  Tabor  and  others  of  Indian 
Stream  a  letter  "requesting  them  to  notify  the  inhabi- 
tants that  he  should  meet  them  at  a  schoolhouse  in  the 
settlement  on  the  following  Saturday  at  4  P.  M.,  and 
also  on  the  Sabbath  following  at  another  schoolhouse 
in  the  settlement  at  1  P.  M.,  if  it  was  thought  best,  and 
that  he  would  meet  them  and  lay  before  them  more 
communications  from  his  government."  At  the  meet- 
ings the  inhabitants  were  assured  through  these  com- 
munications that  they  would  be  protected  against 
encroachments  on  the  part  of  New  Hampshire,  and  it 
was  suggested  that  they  communicate  their  thanks  in 
writing  to  Governor  Earl  Gosford  of  Lower  Canada, 
and  ask  further  assistance.  A  committee  was  also 
appointed  to  nominate  candidates  for  appointment  as 
justices  of  the  peace. ^ 

On  or  about  the  first  of  October,  also.  Deputy  William 
M.  Smith  of  Stewartstown,  taking  with  him  for  purposes 
of  identification  Milton  Harvey  of  Colebrook  and  Rich- 
ard I.  Blanchard,  one  of  the  "  New  Hampshire  boys  "  who 
lived  several  miles  north  of  Luther  Parker's  mill,  came 
into  Indian  Stream  with  a  writ  against  John  H.  Tyler 
in  favor  of  William  Buckminster  of  Danville,  Vermont. 
Tyler  was  arrested,  but  refused  to  show  property  for 
attachment,  and  while  proceeding  in  company  with 
his  captors  was  met  and  rescued  by  Emor  Applebee  and 
two  sons,  Alanson  Cummings,  clerk  pro  tem.  in  the  last 


104  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

assembly,  another  Tyler,  J.  C.  L.  Knight  (the  same 
who  had  caused  the  arrest  of  Luther  Parker  the  year 
before),  and  two  others.  The  deputy  returned  the 
writ  to  its  court,  and  by  advice  of  Sheriff  White  adver- 
tised a  reward  of  five  dollars  for  the  arrest  of  Tyler  and 
his  delivery  at  the  jail  in  Lancaster,  the  seat  of  Coos 
county.^ 

This  was  not  all.  On  the  twenty-second  of  October 
Richard  I.  Blanchard,  who  had  assisted  Deputy  Smith 
on  the  occasion  of  Tyler's  arrest,  was  taken  from  his 
house  early  in  the  morning  by  Zebulon  Flanders,  Zac- 
cheus  Clough,  and  the  same  John  H.  Tyler  who  had 
escaped  arrest  a  short  time  before.  They  had  one  gun 
among  them,  and  a  warrant  issued  by  Alexander  Ilea 
in  the  name  of  the  King,^  on  the  ground  that  Blanchard 
had  been  concerned  in  an  unlawful  attempt  to  arrest 
Tyler,  a  subject  of  His  Majesty. 

Blanchard's  fourteen-years-old  son  spread  the  alarm, 
running  down  the  river  road  and  stopping  at  the  Parker 
home,  among  others.  As  Blanchard  was  conducted 
along  the  same  route  shortly  afterward,  and  was  passing 
the  Parker  place,  Alleta  Parker  stood  in  the  doorway, 
"It's  my  turn  now,  you  see,  Mrs.  Parker,"  he  called 
out  to  her. 

"I'm  sorry,  Mr.  Blanchard,"  she  replied,  and  added 
significantly,  "I  hope  you'll  not  be  gone  long." 

At  the  alarm  from  Blanchard's  son  Luther  and  Asa 
Parker,  Clark  J.  Haynes,  and  others  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire party  had  immediately  started  across  the  river  for 
Clarksville,  Stewartstown,  and  Colebrook  to  rouse  the 
country.  Clark  Haynes  went  to  Clarksville  and  got 
Miles  Hurlburt,  who  started  for  Indian  Stream  with 
Joseph  Wiswall  and  John  Harriman,  halted  at  the 
house  of  Ebenezer  Fletcher  at  Fletcher's  Mills,  and 
were  there  joined  by  Ephraim  Aldrich,   Oliver  Wash- 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  105 

burn,  and  Blanchard's  son.  This  party  proceeded 
west  across  Indian  Stream  and  Hall's  Stream  to  the 
town  of  Hereford,  and  overtook  the  party  having 
Blanchard  in  charge,  now  grown  to  twelve  or  fifteen, 
taking  dinner  at  the  house  of  Bernard  Young.  Find- 
ing the  enemy  too  strong  they  made  no  attempt  at  a 
rescue,  but  went  south  to  Canaan  with  the  intention 
of  intercepting  the  company  before  it  should  reach  its 
destination  at  the  home  of  Alexander  Rea.  At  Canaan 
they  found  assembled  about  a  hundred  armed  and  ex- 
cited men.^ 

Meanwhile  Luther  and  Asa  Parker  had  reached 
Colebrook,  got  John  M.  Hilliard,  Samuel  Weeks,  Jr., 
Horatio  Tuttle,  Thomas  B.  Blodgett,  and  Thomas 
Piper,  and  ridden  to  Canaan,  where  they  arrived  in  the 
afternoon  and  found  the  party  assembled  as  above 
stated.  Milton  Harvey  now  appeared  from  the  direc- 
tion of  Indian  Stream  with  the  news  that  the  Canadian 
party  and  Blanchard  were  to  pass  over  Hereford  hill  two 
miles  away,  and  that  it  would  be  possible  to  meet  them.* 
A  party  of  about  eight  was  thereupon  quickly  formed, 
armed  and  on  horseback,  consisting  of  Ephraim  H. 
Mahurin,  J.  M.  Harvey,  Joseph  P.  Wiswall,  James  M. 
Hilliard,  Horatio  Tuttle,  Thomas  B.  Blodgett,  Samuel 
Weeks,  and  Miles  Hurlburt.  Others  went  another 
way.^  Luther  Parker  gave  his  pistols  to  Ephraim  Al- 
drich  and  remained  at  Canaan.^"  Asa  Parker  was 
among  those  who  rode  on,  either  then  or  subsequently, 
and  took  his  brother's  horse. 

This  company  overtook  the  Canadian  party,  effected 
the  release  of  Blanchard  without  resorting  to  violence, 
and  returned  to  Canaan  to  the  store  of  Parmelee  & 
Joy,  the  headquarters  of  the  day.^^ 

Elated  by  success,  someone  in  the  company  of  excited 
settlers  now  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  Tyler  had 


106  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

been  among  the  party  who  carried  off  Blanchard.  Tak- 
ing from  the  hand  of  Deputy  Smith  the  above  mentioned 
advertisement  offering  five  dollars  reward  for  his  arrest, 
Ephraim  Aldrieh  and  Miles  Hurlburt  started  back  into 
Canada  to  take  Tyler.  On  reaching  Alexander  Rea's 
neighborhood  they  were  confronted  by  the  angry  justice, 
who  ordered  them  off  the  King's  highway,  and  loudly 
called  on  a  dozen  men  or  so  about  him  to  take  them. 

What  then  occurred  may  be  narrated  by  Hurlburt 
himself,  whose  deposition  reads  as  follows : 

I  then  presented  my  pistol  to  said  Rea  and  told  him  to  keep  his 
proper  distance,  for  I  should  not  be  taken  by  him,  for  if  he  came  any 
nearer  he  should  take  the  contents  of  my  pistol.  Said  Aldrieh  then 
spoke  and  said  to  Mi.  Rea,  "I  should  advise  you  not  to  go  any  far- 
ther for  he  may  hurt  you."  Rea  then  turned  towards  said  Aldrieh 
and  ordered  Bernard  Young  to  take  said  Aldrich's  horse  by  the 
bridle,  and  upon  Young  and  Rea  attempting  to  take  Aldrieh  he 
defended  liimself  with  his  sword.  Immediately  upon  this  Rea  and 
the  party  with  him  commenced  throwing  stones  as  rapidly  and  vio- 
lently as  possible,  two  of  which  hit  me  with  great  force,  when  I  dis- 
charged the  pistol  which  I  had  with  me,  and  not  before,  at  the  assail- 
ants. In  firing  my  pistol  I  did  not  aim  at  anyone  in  particular,  and 
did  not  think  of  hittmg  anyone,  but  I  did  it  more  for  the  purpose  of 
frightening  them.  About  this  time  there  were  thirty  or  forty  more 
of  the  party  which  I  left  at  Parmelee  &  Joy's  store  came  in  sight, 
when  said  Rea  and  those  with  him  immediately  took  to  flight,  Rea 
running  for  the  woods  and  Aldrieh  after  him.  When  I  came  up 
with  Aldrieh  and  Rea,  Aldrieh  had  Rea  down,  Aldrieh  having  one 
hand  hold  of  the  coUar  of  Rea's  coat,  and  one  hand  hold  of  the  hilt 
of  his  sword,  and  Rea  having  hold  with  both  his  hands  of  the  blade 
of  Aldrich's  sword,  with  the  point  of  it  sticking  into  the  ground,  and 
Aldrieh  was  kicking  Rea  in  the  side.  When  I  came  up  Rea  was  say- 
ing, "I  surrender,"  and  Aldrieh  replied,  "Then  God  danm  you,  let 
go  of  the  sword  and  I  will  let  you  alone."  Dr.  Tirrell  at  the  same 
time  came  up  and  remarked  to  Aldrieh,  "He  says  he  surrenders. 
Why  don't  you  let  him  get  up?"  Aldrieh  again  replied,  "If  he  will  let 
go  the  sword  I  will."  And  Dr.  Tirrell  remarked  to  Rea,  "If  you  will 
let  go  the  sword  I  will  guarantee  that  Aldrieh  will  not  hurt  you;" 
whereupon  Rea  let  go  the  sword,  and  Aldrieh  let  him  get  up,  anfl  we 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  107 

took  him  and  put  him  into  the  wagon  and  carried  him  down  to  the 
store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in  Vermont.  While  this  skirmish  was 
carried  on  I  heard  four  or  five  gmis  fired,  one  of  which  I  fired,  as 
before  stated. i- 

In  this  melee  Young  was  wounded  in  the  groin  by  a 
pistol  shot,  and  Rea  was  wounded  in  the  scalp  by  a 
sabre.  Miles  Hurlburt  and  Joseph  P.  Wiswall  alone  of 
the  expedition  that  took  Blanchard  back  to  Vermont 
were  among  the  company  that  took  Rea.  They 
brought  him  to  Canaan,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
his  home,  dressed  his  wound,  and  sent  him  back.^^ 

Such  was  the  excitement  that  was  roused  by  this 
event,  and  such  the  apprehension,  that  the  soldiers  who 
had  assembled  at  Stewartstown  in  August  under  Cap- 
tain Mooney  were  now  ordered  by  Adjutant-General 
Low  into  Indian  Stream.  "Upon  consultation  with 
the  high  sheriff,  Col.  Young,  Gen.  Loomis,  Gideon 
Tirrell,  Esq.,  Luther  Parker,  and  others  who  accompa- 
nied me  here,"  he  reports  from  the  scene  of  disturbance, 
"I  had  no  doubt  of  the  expediency  of  ordering  the  colo- 
nel of  the  24th  regiment  to  detach  one  captain,  one 
lieutenant,  one  ensign,  four  sergeants,  two  musicians, 
and  42  privates,  and  to  place  them  at  the  disposal  of 
the  sheriff'  of  the  county  of  Coos."" 

This  force  marched  into  Indian  Stream  in  November, 
the  declared  purpose  of  the  movement  being  to  "enable 
the  executive  officers  of  the  county  of  Coos  to  execute 
the  laws  and  put  down  all  insurrectionary  move- 
ments."^^ Captain  Mooney  and  his  men  were  for  some 
time  quartered  at  the  home  of  Luther  Parker,  the  men 
tenting  in  the  yard,  and  many  of  them  sleeping  in  the 
house.  The  captain  himself  was  quartered  in  the 
house,  whose  inmates  long  retained  a  pleasant  image  of 
him,  reading  during  his  spare  hours,  and  at  the  same 
time  rocking  with  one  foot  the  cradle  of  the  Parker 
baby,  Amanda  Melvina,  born  September  8  preceding. 


108  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

A  guard  was  stationed  at  Fletcher's  Mills,  where  the 
bridge  led  to  Clarksville  and  the  south,  and  at  other 
places  of  approach,  and  no  one  was  allowed  in  the  ter- 
ritory who  could  not  give  a  proper  account  of  himself. 
When  the  Canadian  commissioners  desired  to  traverse 
the  settlement,  they  encountered  difficulty.  "In  our 
progress  thro'  the  Indian  Stream  settlement,"  they  re- 
port, "in  the  prosecution  of  our  enquiry  we  were  stopped 
on  the  highway  near  the  house  of  one  Fletcher  by  a 
military  guard  composing  a  part  of  the  force  above 
mentioned,  who  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  commanded 
us  to  stand,  and  would  not  permit  us  to  pass,  altho'  made 
aware  of  the  authority  under  which  we  were  acting."^® 

The  military  operations  of  Captain  Mooney  at  In- 
dian Stream  were  brief  and  decisive.  On  the  night  of 
November  13,  having  heard  that  the  house  of  Emor 
Applebee,  several  miles  to  the  north  at  the  mouth  of 
Perry  Stream,  was  the  shelter  of  a  number  of  trouble- 
some partisans,  he  advanced  with  twenty  men  and  sur- 
rounded it.  Applebee,  awakened  toward  daybreak  by 
the  running  and  snorting  of  his  colts  in  the  yard,  came 
to  the  door  and  attempted  resistance,  but  found  twenty 
rifle-barrels  pointed  at  him,  among  them  that  of  Asa 
Parker,  and  surrendered.  Mrs.  Applebee,  who  at- 
tempted to  escape  and  alarm  their  friends,  was  captured 
before  she  could  accomplish  her  purpose,  and  the  Apple- 
bees,  father  and  son,  were  taken  to  Lancaster  to  jail, 
where  the  younger  remained  about  six  months  and  the 
elder  a  year.^^  As  he  was  conveyed  past  the  Parker  home 
Mrs.  Parker,  remembering  her  experience  of  the  year 
before,  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  call  to  him: 
"Well,  Mr.  Applebee,  the  old  eagle  is  beginning  to 
scream." 

At  the  approach  of  colder  weather  barracks  were 
constructed  for  the  troops  at  Fletcher's  Mills.     By  Jan- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  109 

nary  29,  1836,  General  Low  advises  Sheriff  White  that 
the  Canadian  government  has  assured  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire  that  it  will  not  interfere  further  until  the 
boundary  line  is  settled  by  the  proper  authorities.^*  On 
Monday,  February  1,  the  New  Hampshire  Patriot  re- 
cites that  it  has  received  from  General  Low  documents 
relating  to  Indian  Stream,  and  that  there  have  been  no 
further  disturbances,  except  a  visit  of  the  Canadian 
commissioners  on  December  29,  who,  "after  tarrying 
a  short  time  retired  without  making  any  indication 
of  their  design."  "  General  Low  will  go  there  in  person 
and  arrange  for  the  presence  of  troops  till  the  legisla- 
ture acts,  or  until  a  settlement  of  the  dispute  shall  have 
been  reached."  Reference  is  also  made  to  the  receipt 
of  the  above  mentioned  assurance  from  the  British 
government. 

This  assurance  was  no  doubt  the  prime  cause  of  the 
removal  of  the  troops,  which  took  place  on  February 
18.19 

The  same  month  Earl  Gosford,  Governor  of  Lower 
Canada,  complained  and  protested  to  Charles  Bank- 
head,  Charge  d'Affaires  for  Great  Britain  at  Washing- 
ton, and  transmitted  the  report  of  the  Canadian  com- 
mission which  had  investigated  the  condition  of  Indian 
Stream,  and  signed  its  findings  at  Lennoxville  on  Jan- 
uary 1. 

In  June  the  New  Hampshire  legislature  once  more 
passed  resolutions  expressive  of  a  determination  to 
maintain  its  claim,  and  on  the  18th  authorized  the  Gov- 
ernor to  appoint  a  commission  to  visit  Indian  Stream 
and  make  a  thorough  investigation.  Joseph  Low, 
Ralph  Metcalf,  and  John  P.  Hale  composed  the  com- 
mission, and  in  his  message  in  November  Governor  Bad- 
ger announced  to  the  legislature  that  their  report  was 
in  his  hands.     It  was  printed  over  the  date  of  Novem- 


110  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

ber  23,  1836,  and  contained  also  the  report  of  the  Cana- 
dian commission,  and  some  of  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  state  departments  of  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States  which  ensued  after  the  Canadian  inves- 
tigation. 

Before  the  report  of  the  commissioners  to  Indian 
Stream  had  been  pubhshed,  however,  the  Parker  family 
had  left  New  Hampshire.  The  last  recorded  mention 
of  Luther  Parker  at  Indian  Stream  occurs  in  the  New 
Hampshire  Patriot  of  May  16,  1836,  which  gives  a  col- 
umn to  the  report  of  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Stew- 
artstown,  Clarksville,  and  Indian  Stream,  held  on 
April  16  at  the  Clarksville  schoolhouse  to  consider  the 
condition  of  Indian  Stream.  At  this  meeting  a  com- 
mittee appointed  at  a  previous  meeting  on  April  2  re- 
ported the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  New 
Hampshire  has  a  right  to  exercise  an  unconditional  control  over  the 
territory  of  Indian  Stream. 

Resolved,  That  our  national  government  is  bound  to  support  the 
pretensions  of  New  Hampshire  in  her  claim  to  the  territory  of  Indian 
Stream,  inasmuch  as  it  has  in  repeated  instances  been  recognized 
by  that  government. 

Resolved,  That  we  highly  approve  of  the  measures  adopted  by  our 
last  Legislature  in  relation  to  Indian  Stream,  and  the  evidence  of 
adhering  strictly  to  those  measures  evinced  by  the  Executive  of  the 
State  in  carrjdng  them  fully  into  effect. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  Adjutant-General 
Joseph  Low  is  entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  the  citizens  of  this  State 
for  the  prompt  and  efficient  manner  in  which  he  has  carried  into 
effect  the  orders  of  the  Executive  in  relation  to  Indian  Stream. 

On  motion  of  Luther  Parker,  Esq.,  Resolved,  that  Captain  James 
Mooney,  his  subalterns  and  soldiers  who  were  under  his  command 
stationed  at  Indian  Stream,  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  their  fellow 
citizens  for  their  prompt  and  patriotic  exertions  in  supporting  the 
honor  and  dignity  of  the  State. 

Voted,  that  the  foregoing  report  and  resolutions  be  signed  by  the 
chairman  and  secretary  and  published  in  the  New  Hampshire  Pa- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  111 

triot,  and  in    the  New  Hampshire    Statesman  and  State  Journal 
printed  at  Concord. 

GiDEOX  TiRRiLL,  Chairman. 
Joseph  Wiswall,  Secretary. 

From  this  report,  as  well  as  from  the  removal  of  the 
troops,  it  is  evident  that  Indian  Stream  had  by  this 
time  settled  itself  to  the  policy  of  obedience  to  New 
Hampshire,  and  had  entered  upon  its  first  period  of 
assured  quiet. 

On  December  10,  1840,  the  town  of  Pittsburg  was 
incorporated,  containing  the  territory  of  Indian  Stream, 
the  Carlisle  Grant,  the  Colebrook  Academy  Grant,  and 
sixty  thousand  acres  of  state  lands. 

In  1842,  section  1  of  the  Asburton  treaty  defined  the 
international  boundary  as  beginning  at  the  head  of 
Hall's  Stream,  and  thus  brought  to  a  conclusion  the  long 
dispute.  Since  its  incorporation  Pittsburg  has  enjoyed 
unbroken  peace  and  prosperity,  and  is  a  favorite  resort 
during  the  summer  weeks  and  the  hunting  season. 

NOTES 

1  Report,  p.  223.  "  Ihid. 

"-  Aldrich,  p.  388.  12  Ihid.,  pp.  230,  231. 

3  Ihid.,  p.  389.  13  7fc^-^.^  pp.  243,  244. 

*  Report,  pp.  214,  215.  "  iV.  H.  Patriot,  Nov.  23,  1835. 

*  Ihid.,  pp.  220-222.  "  Report,  p.  236. 
« Ihid.,  p.  224.  16  Ihid.,  p.  186. 

">  Ihid.,  pp.  223-226.  i'  Cf.  N.  11.  Patriot,  as  above. 

8  Ihid.,  p.  233.  16  Aldrich,  p.  392. 

9  Ihid.,  pp.  227,  228.  "  Report,  p.  236. 
i»  Ihid.,  pp.  233,  234. 


CHAPTER   15 

The  Wisconsin  Pioneer 

Early  in  May,  1836,  Luther  Parker  left  Indian 
Stream  for  the  wilderness  of  southeastern  Wisconsin. 

During  the  preceding  year  Alvin  G.  French  of 
Brunswick,  Vermont,  a  brother  of  Alletta  French 
Parker,  had  settled  on  the  virgin  acres  of  the  new 
country  in  what  became  the  township  of  Pleasant 
Prairie,  a  few  miles  west  of  the  present  city  of  Kenosha, 
a  settlement  then  known  as  Pike  River.  The  effect  upon 
a  son  of  rugged  Indian  Stream  of  Mr.  French's  accounts 
of  those  beautiful  tracts  of  soil,  generous  and  peaceful, 
unencumbered  by  heavy  timber,  and  yet  not  treeless, 
may  easily  be  imagined.  Add  to  this  the  turbulence 
through  which  Luther  Parker  had  passed  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, the  still  surviving  uncertainty  as  to  whether  the 
inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  were  finally  to  be  Ameri- 
cans or  Canadians,  the  losses  he  had  suffered  through 
bad  debts,  and  the  lingering  rancours  of  a  prolonged 
and  bitter  contest,  and  it  does  not  seem  strange  that  he 
listened  to  the  call  of  the  unopened  West  in  spite  of  the 
triumph  of  his  cause  at  Indian  Stream  and  the  advent 
of  peace. 

"Ten  years  of  my  life  gone  for  nothing!"  he  is  said 
to  have  exclaimed,  as  he  drove  out  of  the  Indian 
Stream  country  by  the  road  that  led  over  the  hill  to 
Clarksville  and  the  southwest. 

Setting  his  affairs  in  order  as  far  as  possible  by  leav- 
ing his  stock  in  trade,  lands,  and  the  major  part  of  his 
other  belongings  in  the  hands  of  a  friend  in  Clarksville 
and  of  his  father  in  Temple,  Luther  Parker  conveyed 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  113 

his  family  and  scant  goods  by  covered  wagon  as  far  as 
Whitehall,  New  York,  on  Lake  Champlain,  where  he 
started  them  on  their  journey  by  canal  through  Troy 
to  Buffalo,  from  Buffalo  to  Detroit  by  steamboat,  from 
Detroit  to  Milwaukee  through  the  lakes  by  schooner, 
and  from  Milwaukee  to  Pleasant  Prairie  by  wagon. 
Alletta  Parker's  brother,  Thomas  Giles  French,  and  her 
sister  Eunice  accompanied  her  from  Vermont,  and 
Asa  Parker  joined  the  party  at  Troy,  New  York.  Giles 
French  and  Asa  Parker,  having  heard  of  choice  lands 
near  Milwaukee,  returned  thither  with  the  wagon  that 
had  conveyed  the  family  to  Pleasant  Prairie. 

After  parting  from  his  family  at  ^^liitehall  Luther 
Parker,  with  horses  and  covered  wagon  and  a  small 
equipment  of  goods,  set  out  for  the  same  destination. 
The  journey  was  long  and  arduous.  The  condition  of 
the  roads,  or  rather  the  lack  of  roads,  at  some  stages 
of  his  progress  was  such  that  on  many  days  he  could 
look  back  at  nightfall  to  the  spot  on  which  he  had 
encamped  the  previous  night.  When  he  finally  arrived 
at  Alvin  French's  at  Pleasant  Prairie  it  was  about  the 
twentieth  of  July,  and  his  family  had  long  been  awaiting 
him. 

With  characteristic  energy  he  made  a  claim  to  land 
not  far  from  Alvin  French's,  and  made  provision  for  the 
breaking  of  sod.  Meanwhile,  however,  Asa  Parker 
and  Giles  French  had  reported  especially  attractive 
lands  about  fifteen  miles  to  the  southwest  of  Milwaukee, 
where  they  had  made  claims,  the  former  on  the  south 
half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  two  in  the  town 
of  Muskego,  and  the  latter  on  the  south  half  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  the  same  section.  Asa  Parker's 
shack  was  at  the  site  of  the  present  Tess  Corners,  and 
Giles  French's  bark  wigwam  near  a  mineral  spring 
about  eighty  rods  to  the  west.     After  a  short  time  at 


114  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Pleasant  Prairie  Luther  Parker  mounted  his  horse  and 
rode  northward  to  view  the  country  where  his  brother 
and  brother-in-law  had  settled.  With  water  power 
in  mind,  as  was  natural  for  one  who  was  familiar  with 
the  upper  waters  of  the  Connecticut,  he  rode  beyond 
them  several  miles  to  the  west,  found  Little  Muskego 
lake,  explored  it,  discovered  the  outlet,  and  at  the  shore 
where  it  left  the  lake  located  a  claim  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  the  south  half  of  section  nine,  town 
five,  range  twenty,  east. 

In  January,  1837,  six  months  after  their  arrival  in 
the  West,  the  Parker  family,  husband,  wife,  one  son 
nine  years  old,  and  three  daughters,  Persis  Euseba, 
Ellen  Augusta,  and  Amanda  Melvina,  aged  seven,  four, 
and  two  years,  moved  into  the  log  cabin  which  Luther 
Parker  had  constructed  on  the  wooded  south  shore  of 
the  lake.  Giles  French  and  Asa  Parker  had  settled 
before  him,  but  were  both  in  temporary  quarters  and 
without  family.  Another  settler,  named  Fields,  had 
erected  a  cabin  in  the  neighborhood,  but  had  not  occu- 
pied it  with  his  family  until  later  in  the  winter.  Luther 
Parker  may  therefore  be  recorded  as  the  first  perma- 
nent white  settler  in  the  township  of  Muskego. 

The  Parker  family  remained  in  the  log  cabin  three 
years.  In  1839  Mr.  Parker  sold  his  claim  to  Anson 
H.  Taylor  for  $800,  but  continued  to  reside  on  it  until 
the  spring  of  1840,  when  he  occupied  a  two  hundred  and 
forty  acre  holding  to  the  south  of  Giles  French,  which 
had  been  abandoned,  the  northeast  quarter  and  the 
east  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  eleven. 
The  Muskego  lands  in  this  neighborhood  were  varied; 
there  were  heavily  wooded  parts,  oak  openings,  and 
meadows.     Here  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1853. 

Luther  Parker's  capacity  to  endure  hardship  and 
privation  found  its  second  opportunity  for  demonstra- 


THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  115 

tion  in  the  Wisconsin  wilderness.  The  stern  conditions 
of  the  pioneering  life  of  that  period  are  so  well  known 
that  they  require  no  description  here.  There  was  the 
usual  cabin  of  logs,  with  chinks  through  which  the  wind 
blew  and  the  snow  sifted,  and  with  the  old-fashioned 
fireplace  and  the  danger  from  fire  that  accompanied  it. 
There  was  the  hard  work  of  clearing,  and  the  laborious 
two-day  trips  to  Milwaukee  by  Indian  trail,  for  the 
sack  of  flour  and  pork  and  other  necessities  to  supple- 
ment the  scant  product  of  the  first  years  of  tillage. 
There  was  the  need  of  skill  and  patience  in  the  slow 
making  by  hand  of  everything  that  there  was  no  money 
to  purchase.  The  shoemaker's  kit  which  he  had  used 
during  his  apprentice  days  at  Stoneham  Mr.  Parker 
kept  and  used  all  his  life. 

There  was  the  lack  of  medical  conveniences,  too,  but 
not  the  lack  of  death.  Little  Amanda  Melvina,  the 
child  born  September  8,  1835,  at  Indian  Stream,  died  of 
the  fever  in  the  Muskego  cabin  on  August  8,  1838,  and 
was  buried  on  the  shore  of  the  lake.  The  grave  is 
within  the  limits  of  the  present  Muskego  Lake  resort, 
but  has  long  since  been  obscured. 

Luther  Parker's  capacity  for  leadership,  also,  was  dis- 
played again  in  the  new  country.  His  natural  ability, 
as  well  as  the  education  he  had  received  at  Temple, 
Stoneham,  and  New  Ipswich,  his  teacher's  experience  at 
Stratford  and  elsewhere,  served  him  here  as  well  as  at 
Indian  Stream,  and  the  varied  experiences  in  affairs 
through  which  he  had  passed  in  northern  New  Hamp- 
shire fitted  him  for  similar  experiences  in  Wisconsin. 

In  the  land  sale  of  1839,  which  took  place  at  public 
auction  in  Milwaukee,  Mr.  Parker  was  entrusted  by  all 
the  squatter  sovereigns  of  the  townships  of  Franklin 
and  Muskego  with  the  bidding  in  of  their  claims.  The 
settlers,  who  were  now  first  to  acquire  actual  title,  had 


116  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

previously  met  and  agreed  not  to  bid  against  each  other, 
and  it  was  also  well  understood  that  no  bidding  by  land 
speculators  was  to  be  tolerated.  Mr.  Parker  appeared 
in  the  auction  room  with  a  list  of  his  neighbors'  holdings 
in  his  hand,  and  as  each  holding  was  described  by  the 
auctioneer,  he  simply  said,  "$1.25  per  acre,"  and  at  the 
close  of  each  day's  sale  the  certificates  were  made  out 
and  the  cash  paid  over.  Only  one  attempt  at  bidding 
by  a  speculator  was  made  during  his  attendance  on  the 
sale.  The  bidder,  who  wished  to  get  possession  of  an 
improved  holding,  found  himself  so  boisterously  jostled 
and  crowded  that,  though  it  was  all  seemingly  accidental, 
he  was  glad  to  be  allowed  to  leave  the  room. 

Mr.  Parker's  considerable  legal  knowledge  was  also 
called  into  action  in  the  drawing  of  contracts  and 
other  papers,  and  in  court  work.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace  for  several  terms,  and  tried  many  cases,  and 
frequently  conducted  the  cases  of  his  neighbors  in 
court  when  not  in  office.  His  law  library  was  a  scant 
book  or  two — Blackstone's  Commentaries,  Cowan's 
Treaties,  and  the  New  Hampshire  form  book — but 
they  served  large  purposes  in  those  days. 

He  was  a  leader  also  in  the  educational  affairs  of  the 
new  settlement.  The  first  school  in  Muskego  came 
into  existence  in  the  fall  of  1839,  a  little  to  the  south  of 
Tess  Corners,  and  was  built  and  supported  by  those  of 
the  settlers  who  were  interested.  Here  is  the  letter  of 
one  of  its  pupils,  Luther  Parker's  son  Charles,  which 
affords  a  vivid  picture  of  the  manner  of  education  in  the 
wilderness : 

The  schoolhouse  was  14  x  16,  of  logs  covered  with  shakes.  It 
had  two  windows,  rough  green  oak  boards  for  floor,  and  seats  of 
basswood  slabs.  On  each  side,  where  a  window  lighted  a  desk-like 
shelf  against  the  wall,  sat  the  larger  pupils,  with  slates  or  writing- 
books,  on  a  long  bench,  their  backs  to  the  teacher  and  the  school.  A 
little    sheet-iron,    barrel-shaped   stove    did    the   heating.     It    was 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  117 

brought  all  the  way  from  New  Hampshire  by  my  father  in  his 
covered  wagon,  and  donated  to  the  school  by  him.  The  building 
and  the  school  were  a  private  enterprise,  a  free  contribution  by  the 
few  families,  mostly  New  Englanders,  who  had  children.  It  stood 
a  little  south  of  the  present  Tess  Corners,  and  was  built  in  the  fall 
of  1839.  Ellen,  Persis,  and  I  had  to  go  two  miles,  as  we  lived  the 
farthest  west  in  the  settlement.  A  IVIiss  Hale  taught  the  winter 
school.  She  was  paid  the  generous  sum  of  two  dollars  per  week, 
and  boarded  round.  All  did  their  best  the  week  the  schoolma'am 
was  with  them;  but  there  was  no  butter  or  milk  in  most  places. 
Honey  was  substituted  for  both. 

Two  or  three  years  after  that  the  town  organized  the  first  school 
district.  Sometimes  a  fairly  qualified  teacher  was  secured;  often 
otherwise.  One  was  an  old  man  from  New  Hampshire;  my  father 
and  he  had  been  schoolmates.  He  was  well  qualified  for  the  work, 
but  we  soon  began  to  wonder  why  he  went  out  every  half  hour,  and, 
boylike,  we  began  to  hunt;  and  one  day — it  was  snowing — as  soon 
as  he  returned  from  one  of  his  outings,  I  asked  to  go  out,  and,  follow- 
ing his  tracks,  found  hidden  in  the  snow  a  pint  whiskey  flask.  Then 
the  boys  had  their  fun.  As  the  days  passed  he  used  to  get  rather 
the  worse  for  the  flask  before  the  close  of  the  day,  and  the  boys 
began  to  cut  up,  until  father,  who  was  clerk,  found  out,  and  told 
him  he  must  give  up  the  whiskey  or  resign.  It  was  a  little  better 
after  that.^ 

NOTE 

1  Written  at  River  Falls,  Wisconsin,  March  17,  1911.  Charles 
Durham  Parker  was  born  at  Indian  Stream  Dec.  27,  1827.  On 
Nov.  8,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Angeliue  Flora  Southworth  at 
Muskego,  in  1859  settled  at  Pleasant  Valley,  St.  Croix  county, 
Wisconsin,  was  member  of  the  assembly  in  1869,  Lieutenant 
Governor  in  1874-8,  served  twelve  years  on  the  state  board  of 
control,  and  three  years  as  a  university  regent.  He  has  lived  in 
River  Falls  since  1895. 


CHAPTER   16 
The  Territorial  Legislature  of  1846 

In  the  election  of  1845  Luther  Parker  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  territorial  legislature  of  Wisconsin, 
representing  part  of  Milwaukee  county,  which  then 
included  what  was  to  become  Waukesha  county.  Its 
two  branches  were  at  that  time  called  the  council  and 
the  assembly.  With  Luther  Parker  in  the  assembly 
were  Samuel  H.  Barstow  of  Prairieville,  later  called 
Waukesha,  and  W.  H.  Thomas  of  Lisbon.  In  the 
council  were  J.  H.  Kimball  of  Prairieville,  and  Curtis 
Reed  of  Summit.^     Henry  Dodge  was  Governor. 

The  legislature  met  on  January  5, 1846,  with  thirteen 
members  in  the  council  and  twenty-six  in  the  assembly. 
On  Wednesday,  January  7,  the  Speaker  announced  his 
committees.  Luther  Parker  was  appointed  a  member 
of  the  committees  on  schools  and  on  engrossed  bills, 
and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  agriculture  and 
manufactures. 

On  the  14th  Mr.  Parker  presented  the  petition  of 
Thomas  Steele  and  thirty-two  others,  praying  for  an 
act  to  amend  an  act  to  authorize  the  commissioners  of 
highways  for  the  towns  of  Genesee  and  Maquango 
(Mukwonago)  to  lay  out  and  alter  a  territorial  road 
named  therein.  On  the  16th  he  moved  that  the  bill 
to  incorporate  the  city  of  Milwaukee  be  referred  to  a 
select  committee  consisting  of  the  members  from  Mil- 
waukee county.  On  the  same  day  he  also  presented 
the  petition  of  H.  Van  Vlick  and  thirty-six  others, 
inhabitants  of  Milwaukee  county,  asking  for  a  division 
of  said  county,  and  also  four  other  petitions  of  other 
inhabitants  on  the  same  subject. 

118 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  119 

The  presentation  of  these  petitions  was  the  formal 
beginning  of  Luther  Parker's  principal  effort  for  his 
constituents.  He  had  been  elected  on  the  issue  of  the 
division  of  Milwaukee  county.  Samuel  Barstow 
labored  with  him  in  the  same  cause.  On  the  same  day 
on  which  the  Parker  petitions  were  presented  Mr. 
Barstow  presented  two  petitions  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Milwaukee  county  on  the  same  subject,  and  introduced 
the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved  (the  council  concurring),  that  all  petitions  and  re- 
monstrances relating  to  the  division  of  Milwaukee  county  be 
referred  to  a  joint  select  committee  consisting  of  the  delegates 
from  that  county  of  both  houses  of  the  legislative  assembly. 

Mr.  Barstow  also  gave  notice  that  he  would,  on  the 
next  day,  ask  leave  to  introduce  a  bill  for  the  division 
of  the  county  of  Milwaukee,  and  for  the  formation  of 
a  new  county. 

On  the  17th  Mr.  Parker  presented  one,  and  Mr. 
Barstow  four  more  petitions  on  the  same  subject.  On 
the  19th  Mr.  Barstow  presented  two,  and  Mr.  Parker 
several.  On  the  20th  Mr.  Parker  presented  the  record 
of  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Mus- 
kego,  relating  to  the  division  of  Milwaukee  county,  and 
Mr.  Barstow,  after  the  presentation  of  two  petitions  on 
the  same  subject,  was  given  leave  to  introduce  a  bill 
to  provide  for  the  division  of  the  county  of  Milwaukee, 
which  was  read  the  first  and  second  time  the  same  day. 
On  that  day  the  council  also  concurred  in  Mr.  Barstow's 
resolution  of  the  16th. 

On  the  21st  each  of  the  two  presented  a  petition  on 
the  usual  subject.  On  this  date  Mr.  Parker  also  pre- 
sented a  petition  from  citizens  of  Milwaukee  county 
asking  for  incorporation  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Missis- 
sippi Railway,  and  a  bill  to  incorporate  Carroll  College 
was  reported  passed  by  the  council.     It  was  about  this 


120  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

time  that  the  agitation  for  better  carrying  faeiHties 
was  rising.  In  this  one  session  bills  were  introduced 
affecting  a  Milwaukee,  Madison,  and  Mississippi  Rail- 
road Company,  a  Sheboygan  and  Mississippi  Company, 
a  Milwaukee,  Madison,  and  Mississippi  Company,  and 
a  Lisbon  and  Milwaukee  Plank  Road  Company. 

On  the  23d  Mr.  Parker,  for  the  committee  on  agricul- 
ture and  manufactures,  to  whom  the  subject  had  been 
referred,  reported  a  bill  to  amend  an  act  entitled,  "An 
Act  to  Establish  the  Rate  of  Toll  for  Grinding."  On 
the  23d,  24th,  and  26th  Mr.  Barstow  presented  more 
petitions,  and  on  the  26th  Mr.  Magone  presented  a 
remonstrance  from  inhabitants  of  Milwaukee  county. 

On  the  last  named  date  the  bill  for  division  was 
reported  by  the  committee  of  the  whole  with  amend- 
ments. Mr.  Magone's  motion  that  the  bill  be  referred 
to  a  select  committee  having  been  lost,  the  amendments 
were  concurred  in.  Further  amendments  by  Mr.  Ma- 
gone and  Mr.  Thomas  of  Lisbon  were  rejected,  and 
second  attempts  made  by  both  met  a  like  fate. 

On  the  28th  the  assembly  sat  as  committee  of  the 
whole,  with  Mr.  Parker  in  the  chair,  but  adjourned  at 
the  news  of  the  burning  of  Councilman  M.  M.  Strong's 
home  in  Racine,  with  his  wife  and  children. 

On  the  30th  the  council  reported  the  passage  of  32 
(H.  of  R.),  Mr.  Barstow's  bill  for  division.  A  bill  for 
the  incorporation  of  Prairieville,  reported  by  the  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  on  the  same  date,  was  passed  on  the 
following  day. 

The  act  of  division  was  approved  on  January  31,  the 
same  day.  On  Tuesday  evening,  February  3,  1846,  the 
legislature  adjourned,  after  a  session  of  four  weeks  and 
two  days. 

The  act  for  division  provided  for  the  submission  to 
vote  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  sixteen  townships  of  Mil- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  121 

waukee  county  which  lay  west  of  range  twenty-one, 
the  question  of  their  separation  and  erection  into  the 
county  of  Waukesha.  The  vote  was  to  be  taken  at  the 
spring  election  of  the  same  year.^ 

The  winning  of  the  fight  in  the  legislature,  where  the 
opposition  was  considerable,  was  only  the  beginning  of 
the  campaign.  The  real  struggle  took  place  in  the 
sixteen  townships,  which  were  given  the  privilege  of 
deciding  for  themselves. 

The  campaign  was  heated  from  the  first,  and  toward 
the  end  became  charged  with  bitter  animosity,  and 
even  abuse.  The  committee  in  charge  of  the  interests 
of  division  was  composed  of  William  A.  Barstow,  Alex- 
ander W.Randall,  James  Y.Watson,  Andrew  E.  Elmore, 
A.  F.  Pratt,  and  Luther  Parker.  Messrs.  Turner  and 
Hunkins  were  also  active,  and  many  others.  In  March 
the  committee  published  the  first  number  of  a  sheet 
called  The  Waukesha  Advocate.  The  second  issue  is 
dated  March  23,  1846,  at  Prairieville,  W.  T.,  and  is 
prefaced  by  the  words,  "Divided  We  Stand,  United  We 
Fall."  It  contains  a  call  addressed  to  all  the  voters  of 
the  proposed  county  for  a  convention  to  be  held  at  the 
Junction  House,  Brookfield,  on  April  2,  to  discuss  the 
question  of  division,  and  is  filled  to  the  limit  with  argu- 
ment and  exhortation. 

On  March  27,  by  way  of  reply,  appeared  The  Union- 
ist, printed  in  the  oflfice  of  the  Milwaukee  Courier.  It 
contains  the  copy  of  a  call  for  an  anti-division  conven- 
tion, to  be  held  at  a  private  house  in  Genesee,  and 
attended  by  five  delegates  from  each  town,  and  also  a 
report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention,  at  which 
•a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  an  address  repre- 
senting the  views  of  the  opposition  to  separation.  The 
address  also  is  printed.  It  fills  nine  columns,  and  is 
signed   by   the  committee,   A.   L.   Castleman,   Curtis 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Reed,  John  S.  Rockwell,  Leonard  Martin,  Jesse  Smith, 
and  E.  W.  Edgerton. 

The  burden  of  argument  on  both  sides  is  largely 
financial.  Milwaukee  county,  including  the  proposed 
Waukesha  county,  had  at  that  time  a  population 
of  25,000,  and  the  town  of  Milwaukee  itself  10,000. 
The  taxable  property  of  the  whole  area  was  estimated 
at  $1,652,201,  seven-eighths  of  which  was  real  estate. 
The  party  for  division  insisted  that  the  sixteen  town- 
ships were  contributing  far  in  excess  of  their  just  share 
of  taxes.  "The  secret  of  the  opposition  to  division 
among  our  Milwaukee  friends,"  says  The  Advocate,  "is 
this:  that  they  know  they  will  have  to  support  their 
own  officers,  build  their  own  jails  and  poorhouses,  and 
pay  their  own  taxes."  The  anti-division  party,  on  the 
other  hand,  dwelt  upon  the  expense  of  a  doubling  of  all 
the  machinery  of  government  in  the  territory  con- 
cerned, the  cost  of  transcription  of  records,  and  of  extra 
public  buildings. 

Charges  of  bad  faith,  and  even  personalities,  are  not 
wanting  in  The  Unionist  colunuis.  Under  the  caption, 
*'The  Ebbings  and  Flo  wings  of  Patriotism,"  it  prints: 

It  is  said  that  if  certain  gentlemen  in  the  proposed  new  county  had 
succeeded  in  obtaining  certain  oflBcial  stations  to  which  they  have 
been  aspiring  for  the  last  three  years,  the  division  of  Milwaukee 
county  would  never  have  been  heard  of.  Whether  this  is  true  to 
the  extent  asserted  we  cannot  say,  but  this  much  we  can  say,  and 
know  to  be  true,  that  these  defeated  aspirants  urged  upon  their 
personal  friends  in  the  legislature  the  division  of  the  county,  on  the 
ground  that  as  the  county  of  Milwaukee  now  stood  they  could  not 
get  the  offices  they  desired.  Now,  is  the  largest  and  the  most  influ- 
ential county  in  the  territory  to  be  cut  to  pieces,  and  people  of 
the  proposed  new  county  made  to  pay  double  their  present  amount 
of  taxes  to  gratify  the  selfish  aspiration  of  a  few  over-greedy  office- 
seekers  and  county-seat  speculators?  This  is  a  matter  for  tax- 
payers to  take  into  consideration.  The  question  is,  therefore,  simply 
this:  whether  Wm.  A.  Barstow,  A.  W.  Randall,  James  Y.  Watson, 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM  REPUBLIC  123 

A.  E.  Elmore,  A.  F.  Pratt,  and  Hon.  Luther  Parker  shall  be  gorged 
with  offices,  and  have  the  privilege  of  speculating  in  county-seat 
village  lots  to  boot,  at  the  expense  of  the  farmers  who  have  to  foot 
the  bills  in  the  shape  of  increased  taxes?     Taxpayers,  what  say  you? 

The  Unionist  is  also  of  opinion  that  the  feelings  of 
honor  of  "Pratt,  Barstow,  and  Co."  "can  never  be 
called  into  action  with  any  instrument  less  potent 
than  a  piece  of  cowskin,  either  in  shape  of  a  twisted 
whip  or  the  sole  of  a  boot."  It  is  also  not  without 
humor.  "A  rose  by  any  other  name  would  smell  as 
sweet,"  it  says.  "So  Waukesha  by  any  other  name 
would  be  as  foxy."  "Divided  we  stand,  as  the  man 
said  with  his  feet  in  the  stocks."  "United  we  fall,  as 
the  rogues  said  when  they  were  cast  into  prison." 
"United  we  fall,  as  the  coon  said  when  they  cut  down 
the  tree."  It  asks  the  Advocate  to  "meet  us  with 
equal  fairness,  and  not  appear  on  the  very  eve  of  elec- 
tion with  facts  without  proof." 

This  issue  of  The  Unionist  (the  only  one)  provokes  an 
extra  of  The  Advocate  on  April  3d.  It  reports  a  meet- 
ing for  division  at  the  Muskego  Center  schoolhouse  on 
March  28,  signed  John  Finley,  Chairman,  and  Asa 
Parker,  Secretary,  and  is  again  filled  with  the  financial 
argument,  but  finds  space  also  to  gratify  the  now  fully 
generated  passion  of  the  campaign.  Epithets  abound, 
and  by  way  of  final  word,  a  "Warning"  is  sounded: 

Warning. — ^Every  man  knows  that  for  the  last  foiu-  years  it  has 
been  the  practice  of  the  Milwaukee  Jiinto,  with  what  assistance  they 
could  get  from  the  country,  to  circulate,  on  the  eve  of  any  important 
election,  a  budget  of  statements  and  falsehoods  which  have  had 
the  result  of  influencing  the  election.  After  election  the  statements 
are  discovered  to  be  false,  and  no  man  can  be  found  responsible  for 
them.  Voters  of  Waukesha,  prepare  for  this  farce  at  the  coming 
town  meeting.  Disinterested  Milwaukee  is  privately  at  work  vnth. 
her  press  and  tools  in  just  such  an  operation.  Some  of  the  northern 
towns,  it  is  also  understood,  will  import  a  large  number  of  voters  for 
the  purpose  of  affecting  the  elections.     Look  out  for  Milwaukee 


124  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

and  Summit  treachery.  The  foul  means  they  have  used,  the  inter- 
ference of  their  press,  show  the  shifts  to  which  they  have  been 
reduced,  and  that  they  are  fully  prepared  to  use  the  most  desperate 
means  to  prevent  the  division  of  the  county. 

Not  to  be  outdone,  the  wit  of  The  Advocate  retorts 
upon  the  Unionist  with:  "An  onion  would  smell  as 
sweet  spelt  with  a  U  as  any  other  way." 

The  election  was  held  on  Tuesday,  April  7,  and,  if 
contemporary  reports  are  to  be  credited,  was  the  occa- 
sion of  much  petty  bribery,  repeating,  and  other  illegal 
voting.  The  division  party  was  victorious,  and 
"Luther  Parker  and  Company's  proposition,"  as  Hiber- 
nicus  named  it  in  the  Milwaukee  Courier  of  March  21, 
was  adopted.  The  county  was  duly  organized,  with 
Prairieville  as  its  seat. 

NOTES 

iFor  Luther  Parker's  activities  in  the  legislature,  see  Journal 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Fourth  Annual  Session  of  the 
Legislative  Assembly  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 

2  Acts  of  1846,  pp.  23  ff. 


CHAPTER   17 

The  Last  Years 

The  record  of  Luther  Parker's  Hfe  from  1846  to  1853 
is  scant.  Such  as  it  is,  it  is  indicative  of  the  usual  activ- 
ities of  the  pioneer  who  is  possessed  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary abihty  and  experience.  The  raising  and  market- 
ing of  his  farm  produce,  the  improvement  of  his  estate, 
the  education  of  his  children,  the  administration  of 
business,  public  and  private,  for  himself  and  such 
neighbors  as  invoked  his  aid,  the  political  effort  natural 
to  a  man  of  conscience  and  pronounced  convictions — 
such  was  the  content  of  his  life,  so  far  as  outward  event 
may  show,  during  its  last  half  dozen  years. 

In  October,  1846,  Luther  Parker's  name  appears 
among  the  grand  jurors  of  Waukesha  county,  and  in 
1849  and  1851  Asa  Parker  was  among  the  petit  jurors. 

Politically,  Luther  Parker  was  a  Democrat  until  the 
rise  of  the  Free  Soil  party,  in  the  organization  of  which 
in  Wisconsin  he  took  a  prominent  part.  He  sup- 
ported Van  Buren  in  the  campaign  of  1848,  and  in 
1852  supported  John  Parker  Hale  of  New  Hampshire, 
himself  of  Parker  blood,  and  a  member  of  the  Indian 
Stream  commission  of  1836. 

In  1851  Luther  Parker  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
county  board  from  Muskego.  The  board  met  on 
November  11  at  Waukesha.  Andrew  E.  Elmore  was 
chosen  chairman,  and  Luther  Parker  and  Mr.  Miner 
were  the  tellers  who  announced  his  election.  Mr. 
Parker  was  appointed  on  the  committees  on  the  treas- 
ury, on  justices'  and  constables'  accounts,  and  on  the 
support  of  the  poor,  being  chairman  of  the  second.  His 
name  appears  in  the  minutes  of  November  13,  14,  15, 

125 


126  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

18,  19,  20,  21,  and  22,  in  connection  with  the  reports  of 
these  committees  and  other  business.  The  character 
of  his  reports  and  motions  indicates  an  attitude  of 
painstaking  economy  in  the  administration  of  the  affairs 
of  the  county. 

In  1848,  during  the  spring  and  fall  terms,  Mr.  Parker's 
son  Charles  was  in  attendance  at  the  Normal  Classical 
Institute  at  Waukesha,  conducted  by  Elihu  Enos  and 
John  W.  Sterling,  the  latter  of  whom  was  called  the 
same  year  to  the  chair  of  mathematics,  natural  philos- 
ophy, and  astronomy  in  the  University  of  Wisconsin, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1884.  During 
the  following  winter  Charles  Parker  taught  school  in 
Muskego. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  of  August,  1849,  occurred  the 
death  of  Alletta  Parker,  of  typhoid  fever,  at  the  age  of 
forty-six.  She  was  interred  in  the  Durham  Hill  ceme- 
tery, several  miles  to  the  south  of  the  Parker  estate. 

The  autumn  of  the  same  year  Ellen  and  Persis 
Parker  attended  Mrs.  Baker's  Female  Seminary  at 
Waukesha.  Prior  to  1848  the  education  of  the  Parker 
children  had  been  limited  to  the  district  school  near 
Tess  Corners. 

Mrs.  Baker's  Female  Seminary  is  thus  advertised  in 
the  Waukesha  Advocate  of  April  19,  1848: 

Waukesha  Feiviale  Seminary 

Mrs.  Baker,  Principal 

Mrs.  Baker  has  now  closed  her  second  term  and  4th  quarter,  and 
having  been  sustained  beyond  her  most  sanguine  expectations,  she 
would  say  to  her  numerous  friends  and  patrons  that  she  will  open 
her  school  again  on  the  27th  of  March.  Parents  having  daughters 
to  send  to  school  may  feel  assured  that  pupils  committed  to  her 
charge  will  receive  the  same  care  and  attention  as  those  of  her  own 
family,  and  she  will  endeavor  as  far  as  possible  to  supply  to  them 
the  protection  and  comforts  of  home.  Wishing  her  school  to  become 
a  permanent  one,  she   will   gather   around   it   all   the    appliances 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  127 

required  to  give  tone  and  finish  to  the  education  of  a  young  lady  as 
fast  as  the  growing  interests  of  the  school  require  it.  Returning 
many  thanks  for  past  favors,  she  hopes  by  her  experience  in  teach- 
ing, and  by  her  unremitting  exertions,  to  secure  a  liberal  share  of 
public  patronage. 

The  academic  year  will  be  divided  into  two  terms  of  22  weeks 
each,  and  four  quarters  of  11  weeks  each.  The  first  term  and  first 
quarter  of  the  ensuing  year  will  commence  on  the  27th  day  of  March, 
1848. 

Departments — terms  per  qr. 

Primary:  First  Principles  of  Orthography  and  Reading $1.00 

With  the  above,  Emerson's  First  part  Arithmetic $1.50 

Middle :  Orthography,  Reading,  Geography,  Arithmetic,  Gram- 
mar, Writing,  Primary  History  and  Botany $2 .  00 

Highest:  Natural  Philosophy,  History,  Ancient  and  Modern, 
Botany,    Astronomy,    Chemistry,    Rhetoric,    and 

Physiology $3.00 

Extras :  Music  on  the  Piano  Forte,  including  use  of  instrument  $8 .  00 

French  and  Latin  Languages,  each $5 .  00 

Drawing $2.00 

Painting $3.00 

Ornamental  Needle  Work $2 .  00 

Worsted  Flowers,  Baskets,  Birds,  &c $1 .  00 

Moral  and  Intellectual  Philosophy,  Logic,  Criticism,  Algebra, 
and  Geometry $4 .  00 

There  will  be  no  deduction  except  in  cases  of  long  continued  illness. 
Pupils  from  abroad  can  be  boarded  at  the  Institution  at  a  reasonable 
price. — Produce  taken  at  market  price  in  part  payment  for  board  if 
paid  in  advance.  There  will  be  charged  during  the  winter  12^ 
cents  per  quarter  additional  for  fuel. 

In  the  fall  of  1849  Charles  Parker  went  east  to  at- 
tend New  Ipswich  Academy,  where  his  father  had  once 
been  a  pupil.  Discontinuing  his  study  there  in  the 
spring  in  order  to  supply  a  ten  weeks'  vacancy  at  Davis 
Village,  near  by,  he  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1850,  taught  the  following  winter  at  Oak 
Creek,  and  from  1851  to  1853  at  Hartland,  spending 
the  summers  on  the  Muskego  farm   with  his  father. 


128  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Ellen  and  Persis  Parker  also  taught  in  Muskego  after 
their  year  at  Mrs.  Baker's  seminary. 

In  April,  1850,  Luther  Parker  was  married  to  Susan 
G.  Goodman.  From  this  union  there  was  one  child, 
Mary  S.  Parker,  born  January  17,  1852. 

On  June  28,  1852,  in  the  hope  of  regaining  his  failing 
health,  Luther  Parker  went  on  a  journey  to  the  scenes 
of  his  earlier  life  in  New  England.  During  his  visit  to 
Indian  Stream,  though  they  had  long  since  become 
outlawed,  he  discharged  several  obligations  which  he 
had  been  unable  to  provide  for  on  his  departure,  further 
than  was  possible  by  the  leaving  of  his  land  and  goods 
in  charge  of  relatives  and  friends  for  the  purpose.  His 
titles  to  the  Indian  Stream  lands  had  been  allowed 
to  lapse,  and  the  mill  had  been  burned  several  years 
before  his  return. 

Mr.  Parker's  health  was  not  improved  by  his  journey. 
He  continued  to  grow  worse,  and  on  June  15,  1853, 
died.  He  lies  beside  Alletta  Parker  in  the  Durham 
Hill  cemetery.  The  inscription  on  their  single  stone 
records : 

LUTHER  PARKER 

died 
June  15,  1853, 
Aged  53  years. 

What  thou  art,  I  was. 
What  I  am,  thou  soon  wilt  be. 


Also  his  wife 
ALLETTA 

died 

August  26,  1849, 

Aged  47  years. 

Those  who  knew  her  best 
loved  her  most. 


PART  TWO 

ELLEN  PARKER'S  JOURNAL 


ELLEN  PARKER'S  JOURNAL 

Sixteen  years  after  their  coming  to  the  West,  when 
she  was  nineteen  and  her  father  was  fifty-two,  and 
approaching  his  end,  Ellen  Augusta  Parker  began  a 
journal,  in  a  marbled-green,  board-covered  book  about 
eight  by  ten  inches.  In  the  sober,  old-fashioned  writing 
on  its  faded  pages  may  be  found  much  to  illuminate 
the  life  of  Luther  Parker,  and  pioneer  life  in  general. 

It  was  on  her  birthday  that  she  began  the  record. 


A  Trip  to  Milwaukee 

Muskego,  March  16th,  1852.  Today  is  my  birthday.  It  is  a 
beautiful  day.  We  went  up  to  Mr.  Post's.  Mrs.  Hawkins  went 
with  us.  They  were  all  feeling  very  bad,  as  this  morning  Michael 
started  for  California.  I  hope  he  wiU  meet  with  success,  and  soon 
return  to  his  friends  and  parents. 

March  17th.  Persis,  Charles,  and  myself  went  do^vii  to  my  micle 
Hariph's — saw  Mary,  and  Hannah  Sullivan,  also  Mary  Blott. 
Louisa  came  home  with  us.  We  called  at  Mr.  Sexton's,  and  saw 
our  old  schoolmate,  Sanford  Grant.     Did  not  know  him. 

Thursday,  18th.  This  morning  we  went  to  Milwaukee.  The 
wind  blows  very  cold.  We  were  quite  cold  when  we  reached  the 
city.  Persis  and  myself  went  into  Boyd's  store  and  staid  till  ready 
to  start  out.  I  bought  a  neck  ribbon,  comb,  etc.  About  four 
o'clock  we  started  for  Mr.  Vallier's.  The  country  through  which 
we  passed  was  very  pleasant;  the  road  ran  along  the  bank  of  the 
lake.  We  reached  our  journey's  end  a  little  after  dark.  Found 
Mrs.  Vallier  and  family  well,  and  glad  to  see  us. 

Friday,  19th.  We  arose  early,  Mrs.  Vallier  got  breakfast,  after 
which  a  walk  was  proposed.  We  walked  down  the  beach  of  the  lake, 
quite  a  distance,  amusing  ourselves  by  watching  the  broken  pieces 
of  ice  as  they  washed  against  the  shore.  We  were  at  last  stopped  by 
discovering  a  dead  bodj'  under  a  large  piece  of  ice.  He  was  sup- 
posed to  be  a  Norwegian  sailor,  who  was  probably  drowned  last  fall. 
We  came  from  the  lake,  and  called  at  Sexton's  and  told  him  about 

131 


132  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

the  body  under  the  ice.  He  and  others  went  to  see  it.  We  went 
back  to  Vallier's  and  took  dinner,  and  then  started  for  home.  We 
had  a  very  cold  ride;  stopped  at  Hale's  tavern  and  warmed  us.  It 
was  nine  o'clock  when  we  got  home.  Foxmd  our  airnt  Prudence 
here. 

Saturday,  20th.  Today  it  is  very  cold  and  impleasant.  I  have 
been  ironing  all  day.  Charles  has  gone  to  take  my  aimt  home. 
About  five  o'clock  it  commenced  snowing,  and  continued  till  nine. 
Charles  has  not  retm-ned.  I  have  finished  my  apron,  which  I 
began  after  ironing.  Father  foimd  his  way  home  through  the  snow. 
He  has  been  to  Mr.  Finley's. 


A  Teachers'  Institute 

Monday,  22nd.  This  forenoon  Louisa  went  home,  and  I  was  pre- 
paring to  go  to  Genesee  to  attend  the  Teachers'  Institute,  Charles 
and  father  and  myself  started  in  the  afternoon.  Charles  and  father 
had  to  stop  at  Mr.  Peck's  and  attend  a  lawsuit,  which  took  them 
two  hours.  I  stopt  and  waited  for  them  at  Muckey's.  We  stopped 
at  Mukwonago  and  warmed,  then  went  on.  We  reached  Genesee 
just  after  dark,  and  found  Misses  Root,  Selleck,  Bowe,  HoUister,  and 
Mr.  Selleck  at  Price's  tavern.  They  had  also  come  for  the  purpose 
of  attending  the  Institute.  We  took  tea,  then  went  to  the  school- 
house.  Heard  a  very  good  lecture,  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Camp,  on  the  subject  of  teachers'  institutes. 

Tuesday,  23rd.  This  morning  father  went  home.  We  all  went 
to  the  school  room  where  the  Institute  was  to  be  held.  Mr.  Enos 
has  not  arrived  from  Madison  yet,  Mr.  Camp  takes  charge  of  his 
affairs;  is  quite  a  good  teacher. 

Tuesday  evening.  Mr.  Enos  came  with  the  cars  this  evening,  but 
was  too  much  fatigued  to  take  any  part  in  the  debate  of  the  evening 
session. 

Wednesday,  24th.  Mr.  Enos  is  in  school  today.  Things  did  not 
go  off  very  lively  today.  We  attended  an  evening  session,  and  from 
there  went  to  a  party  at  Mr.  Remington's.  Had  quite  a  pleasant 
time  of  it.  Danced  tUl  two  or  three  o'clock.  It  was  dark  and  very 
muddy,  and  going  home  we  ran  against  a  stump  and  broke  our 
wagon,  so  we  sat  there  till  they  went  after  another.  We  did  not  get 
to  our  boarding  house  till  daylight. 

Thursday,  25th.  Arose  quite  late  this  morning.  Had  rather  a 
dull,  sleepy  school  of  it.     After  dinner  Nettie  and  I  went  up  to  our 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  133 

room  and  went  to  sleep.  We  felt  better  in  the  afternoon.  Our 
Institute  did  not  meet  this  evening. 

Friday,  26th.  Today  I  attended  the  Institute  as  usual.  Nothing 
of  importance  occurred.  In  the  evening  Mr.  Price  sent  for  a  fiddler, 
and  we  danced  till  twelve  o'clock. 

Saturday,  27.  Mr.  Enos  wished  the  Institute  to  close  today,  as 
there  were  so  few  members  in  attendance.  Some  were  very  anxious 
it  should  continue  longer.  He  concluded  he  would  stay  till  next 
Wednesday. 

Simday,  28th.  This  morning  to  meeting;  heard  a  very  good  ser- 
mon, delivered  by  the  Rev.  IVIr.  Camp.  This  afternoon  did  not  go 
to  church.     Went  to  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  evening. 

Monday,  29th.  Nothing  new  transpires  at  school.  We  closed 
about  half  past  three,  and  all  went  for  a  walk.  We  went  over  the 
hills  to  the  railroad  depot,  and  saw  the  cars  come  in.  Staid  at  the 
depot  an  hour,  then  came  back  by  a  diflPerent  route.  Mr.  Sprague 
showed  us  some  very  large  springs  which  were  on  his  father's  farm. 

Monday  evening.  After  tea  we  attended  a  lecture  on  physiology, 
given  by  a  Mr.  Boothe.  Mr.  Gove  and  Crockett  are  here  tonight; 
they  are  on  their  way  to  California. 

Wednesday,  31st.  Today  our  Institute  closes.  Did  not  go  this 
forenoon;  staid  at  home  'with.  Nettie.  This  afternoon  our  school 
closed  about  three.  Some  went  to  Waukesha  on  the  cars.  The 
rest  of  us  staid  at  the  tavern.  This  evening  INIr.  Price  had  a  party. 
We  danced  till  three  in  the  morning,  then  broke  up. 

April  1st.  About  noon  today  Mr.  Selleck  and  sister,  Miss  Bowe, 
and  Miss  Hollister  bade  us  goodbye,  and  started  for  home.  Father 
came  for  us  at  two  o'clock.  We  arrived  at  home  quite  late  in  the 
evening,  without  any  diflSculty.  Mr.  William  Post  was  married 
today  to  Miss  Esther  Johnson.  They  did  not  make  much  of  a 
wedding.  The  bride  was  dressed  very  pretty  in  a  new  silk  dress 
brought  from  England. 


April  and  May 

April  10th.  This  morning  we  were  preparing  to  go  to  Mr.  Clark's 
a-visiting,  when  Mr.  Selleck  and  sister  and  Miss  Bowe  all  came  to 
see  us.  We  got  dinner,  then  all  went  to  Clark's.  Mary  Bagley 
was  there.  It  commenced  raining  a  short  time  after  we  got  there. 
Wf  took  tea  at  five  o'clock.  They  then  went  after  Mr.  Elliot  and 
his  fiddle,  so  we  had  a  dance.  It  continued  raining  during  the  whole 
evening. 


134  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Sunday  morning,  11th.  The  rain  has  ceased,  but  the  roads  are 
quite  muddy.  Selleck  and  company  went  from  here  at  ten  o'clock. 
Persis,  Miss  Reynolds,  and  myself  took  a  walk  down  to  the  lake. 
When  we  went  back  we  found  our  folks  had  sent  for  us.  We  had  a 
pleasant  ride  home,  although  rather  muddy.  Pachal  called  this 
evening — is  going  to  start  for  California  with  the  Doyles  tomorrow 
morning.  Mike  McShane  goes  with  them.  W.  Cobb  is  here.  He 
will  stay  over  night. 

Tuesday,  May  4th,  1852.  This  morning  we  did  our  work  and 
went  to  make  cousin  Louisa  a  visit.  Aunt  is  not  at  home.  We 
took  tea  early,  then  went  and  called  on  Mrs.  Sexton  and  family. 
Mary  was  at  her  sister's,  Jared  in  Milwaukee.  We  sat  and  chatted 
a  few  minutes,  then  came  home. 

Wednesday  5th.  This  morning  I  received  a  letter  from  my  old 
friend  and  schoolmate,  Augusta  Colburn  of  Illinois.  This  afternoon 
Persis  and  I  went  up  to  Mr.  H.  Peck's.  Had  a  very  pleasant  visit. 
H.  is  in  fine  spirits — has  considerable  to  say  about  M.  P.  We  got 
home  about  dark.  It  has  been  very  warm  today — some  appearance 
of  rain  this  evening. 

Thursday  morning,  6th.  Persis  is  ironing  this  morning.  Father 
is  not  as  well  as  he  has  been;  he  is  going  to  Mr.  Sexton's  with  his 
wife  this  afternoon.  The  weather  is  warm  and  pleasant,  but  there 
are  numerous  signs  of  rain — wind  in  the  south.  The  wdnd  howls 
without  dismally.  It  always  makes  me  sad  to  hear  the  wdnd  howl. 
The  Indian  says  it  is  the  wailing  of  discontented  spirits.  I  shall  go 
to  Mrs.  Sexton's  this  afternoon  with  mother,  as  father  is  too  unwell 
to  dri-^e  the  team.* 

Friday,  seventh.  This  afternoon  Persis  and  myself  took  sister 
up  to  Uncle  Giles's.  Staid  till  five  o'clock.  We  had  but  just  got 
home  when  the  large  black  clouds  began  to  roll  up  in  the  west,  and 
the  thunders  were  heard  in  the  distance,  and  ere  long  the  rain  began 
to  fall.  We  had  a  beautiful  shower,  which  makes  the  grass  appear 
more  green  than  ever. 

Saturday,  8th.  I  was  quite  imwell  this  morning.  Our  folks  went 
up  to  Mr.  Post's  a- visiting.  About  noon  our  cousin,  Baxter  Parker, 
came  from  the  East.  He  will  probably  spend  the  summer  with  us. 
Just  before  tea  Louisa  came;  she  will  stay  all  night. 

Sunday,  9th.  We  went  to  the  Catholic  church  this  morning; 
came  back  by  Sexton's.  Saw  Mary  and  Robert  walking  in  the 
garden.     They  appeared  to  be  enjoying  themselves  well. 

*  These  are  the  first  references  to  the  illness  which  was  to  bring  Luther  Parker's  life 
to  a  close. 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  135 

When  we  got  home  we  found  Mr.  William  and  Nathan  Cobb  here. 
We  got  tea  early,  then  went  and  took  a  walk  down  to  the  lake, 
Stopt  at  Mr.  Smith's,  and  they  gave  us  some  maple  sugar.  We  had 
a  very  pleasant  walk;  got  back  home  about  sundowTi.  The  Messrs. 
Cobb  have  gone  home;  also  Cousin  Louisa,  and  we  are  here  alone 
once  more. 

Tuesday,  11th.  This  morning  Mr.  W.  Cobb  came  here.  He  is 
going  to  plowing  on  his  farm.     He  will  board  here  a  week. 

Wednesday,  12th.  I  received  some  letters  from  Ann  and  Caro- 
line Southworth.  In  the  afternoon  Uncle  Asa  and  family  came. 
After  tea,  Mary  Sexton.     Staid  over  night. 

Thursday.  Our  folks  have  gone  to  Mr.  Hiram  Hale's.  Mary 
is  here  with  us. 

Friday.  This  morning  Mr.  N.  Cobb  came  to  help  his  brother. 
Mary  went  home  about  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  15th.  We  went  to  the  lake  today  to  carry  the  IVIr. 
Cobbs  their  dinner.  Took  a  ride  in  a  canoe.  Coming  home,  we 
called  to  see  Mr.  Smith.  Mr.  Cobb  got  his  work  done,  and  went 
home  tonight. 

Sunday.  The  day  has  been  very  unpleasant;  rained  part  of  the 
time.  Mr.  Sexton  and  Ives  called  here  this  evening.  I  was  pre- 
sented with  a  philipena  present,  a  book,  the  title  of  which  is  The 
Golden  Gift. 

Monday,  17th.  Quite  cold  today.  We  did  a  very  large  wash- 
ing— did  not  get  done  till  three  o'clock.  Father  has  gone  up  to 
Uncle  Asa's.     George  Green  came  to  see  us  tonight. 

Tuesday,  18th.  Last  night  was  cold;  there  was  a  slight  frost. 
This  morning  we  took  up  om-  carpet,  moved  our  cupboard,  etc. 
William  Cobb  and  father  called  here  when  returning  from  W.'s  farm. 
Father  and  Cousin  Baxter  have  gone  to  Waterford  to  mill.  About 
five  it  commenced  raining;  rained  considerable  dm-ing  the  night. 

Wednesday,  19th.  This  morning  we  arose  quite  late.  Clouds 
hide  the  sun's  bright  face  from  us.  We  ironed  some  this  forenoon. 
I  fixed  my  muU  dress.  Margaret  Fuller  and  Mary  Myers  called  on 
us.  Father  and  cousin  have  returned  from  Waterford.  Father  has 
been  sick  all  the  time  he  was  there.  I  hope  a  journey  east  may 
improve  his  health. 

Thiu-sday,  20th.  This  morning  we  washed  our  carpets.  In  the 
afternoon  went  to  the  graveyard.  Stopped  and  took  tea  with  Mrs. 
McCleary.  We  came  and  staid  at  Sexton's  till  sundown.  Jared 
came  home  with  us.  Friday  we  cleaned  the  cellar.  Saturday,  did 
our  baking. 


136  THE   INDIAN   STREAM  REPUBLIC 

Sunday,  May  23rd.  It  is  a  beautiful  day — also  one  of  the  warm- 
est we  have  had  this  spring.  After  doing  our  work  in  the  morning, 
Persis  and  myself  took  sister  Mary  out  riding.  We  had*  just  re- 
turned when  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Law  came.  They  staid  till  after  tea. 
Dr.  Bigelow  also  took  tea  here.  Just  night,  F.  Smith  and  H. 
Shields  called. 

Monday.  We  have  been  washing  today.  It  is  a  very  warm  day. 
Our  folks  have  begun  planting  com. 

Tuesday,  25th.  The  day  is  very  pleasant.  I  went  to  Milwaukee 
with  father  and  mother.  Went  to  Edwin  Skinner's — saw  Caroline 
Fowler  there.  I  staid  with  her  during  the  night.  Father  and 
mother  staid  with  Mrs.  Hill. 

Wednesday.  I  staid  at  Mr.  S.'s  and  took  care  of  Mary  while 
mother  went  and  did  her  trading.  She  bought  Persis  and  me  some 
white  dresses,  also  some  pink  ones.  We  got  home  just  sundown. 
Wednesday  I  received  two  letters,  one  from  J.  N.,  the  other  from 
E.  S. 

4 
A  Summer  in  Muskego 

June  28th,  1852.  This  morning  my  father  started  for  New  Hamp- 
shire— in  hopes  to  recover  his  health  by  visiting  his  native  state. 
Mother,  Charles,  and  Persis  accompanied  him  to  Milwaukee.  It 
is  a  long  time  for  him  to  be  absent.  He  intends  staying  till  the 
first  of  October.  Cousin  Baxter  became  homesick,  and  went  back 
before  father  could  get  ready  to  accompany  him. 

Sunday,  July  4th.  Persis,  William  and  myself  went  to  the  Catho- 
lic church.  After  returning,  we  went  to  the  lake.  Took  a  ride  in 
the  boat.  Saw  Mrs.  T.  Sexton,  Mary  S.  and  J.  S.  and  Robert  Ives. 
We  staid  at  the  lake  tUl  night;  then  R.  and  J.  came  home  with  us. 

July  5th.  Today  is  quite  pleasant,  yet  it  looks  like  rain.  This 
afternoon  we  are  going  to  a  ball  at  Martin's  new  tavern.  William 
has  gone  after  Cousin  Louisa.  It  is  now  two  o'clock.  Mr.  Sexton 
and  Ives  have  arrived,  also  W.  and  Lida,  on  their  way  to  the  ball. 
Mr.  Cobb  came  about  three,  and,  being  ready,  we  set  out  for  Mar- 
tin's. Had  a  fine  ride,  and  fine  company.  Our  ball  passed  off  very 
pleasantly;  all  seemed  bound  to  enjoy  themselves.  We  got  home 
about  seven  in  the  morning.  I  went  to  bed  and  slept  till  two  o'clock. 
Wednesday  we  received  a  letter  from  father.  He  is  now  in  Massa- 
chusetts.    His  health  is  no  better  as  yet. 

July  25th.  Today  is  Sunday.  My  uncle  Asa's  family  are  here, 
also  Cousin  Louisa.      About  two,  Mr.  W.  and  N.  Cobb  came,  and 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  137 

staid  till  after  tea.  Miss  Bowe  called  on  us  just  at  night.  We  went 
to  Mr.  Clark's  with  her.  Charles  went  to  Vernon  after  Angelina. 
He  did  not  get  back  till  ten  o'clock.  ^\Tiile  he  was  gone  we  went 
and  took  a  sail  on  the  lake.  After  returning  to  the  tavern  we  had 
quite  a  heavy  thunder  shower.  Miss  Bowe  came  home  with  us  and 
spent  two  days. 

Monday.  The  Messrs.  Cobb  came  to  board  with  us  and  cut 
their  oats  at  the  lake.  We  got  done  washing  in  the  forenoon.  After 
tea  we  all  went  to  the  lake. 

Tuesday,  27.  Today  Persis,  Angeline,  Augusta  Bowe,  and  my- 
self put  on  bloomers,  and  weait  a-visiting  to  Edward  McKowan's. 
There  were  six  bloomers  there.  We  got  lost  in  the  woods  coming 
home,  and  Persis  was  under  the  necessity  of  getting  Dr.  Bigelow  to 
show  us  the  way  out.  We  then  reached  home  without  further 
trouble. 

Sunday,  August  first.  This  morning  we  went  to  church;  in  the 
afternoon  to  Hale's  schoolhouse  to  meeting.  After  tea  Persis, 
Angeline,  and  myself  called  on  Mrs.  Smith. 

Monday,  2nd.  Charles  has  gone  to  take  Mary  and  mother  to 
Milwaukee  on  their  way  to  Ohio.  He  brought  CaUy  Fowler  out 
with  him  to  stay  two  weeks. 

Sunday,  August  8th.  This  afternoon  Charles  and  Persis  went 
and  took  Angeline  home.  Mr.  W.  and  N.  Cobb  called  and  took  tea 
with  Cally  and  myself.     The  Cobbs  will  board  here  again  this  week. 

Tuesday,  10th.  Cally  and  I  went  dow^i  to  Sexton's  this  after- 
noon. After  we  got  there  we  went  a-fishing;  did  not  get  back  tUl 
late,  so  staid  all  night,  ^^^len  we  got  home  we  found  Julia  Ells- 
worth here.     She  staid  tiU  Friday  night. 

Saturday,  14th.  All  the  forenoon  there  has  been  a  slow,  misting 
rain.  Tliis  afternoon  we  went  to  the  city  to  take  Cally  home. 
Got  home  about  eight  in  the  evening;  foimd  Persis  enjoying  herself 
with  Steel. 

Monday,  August  16th.  We  are  now  alone  for  the  first  time  since 
mother  went  away.  We  have  been  washing.  Charles  is  at  Uncle 
Asa's.  W.  and  N.  called  and  took  tea  with  us.  They  are  going  to 
bring  their  sister  with  them  tomorrow. 

Wednesday,  18th.  Emma  Cobb  is  now  with  us.  We  received  a 
letter  from  father.  He  is  getting  much  better.  We  also  heard  from 
mother.     She  arrived  at  her  home  in  Ohio  safely. 

Sunday,  22nd.  We  went  to  a  camp-meeting  today,  up  near 
Babcock's.  Saw  Angeline,  N.  C,  L.  H.,  and  a  great  many  other 
friends. 


138  THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Thursday,  26.  This  morning  we  were  surprised  at  receiving  a 
call  from  our  friend  Minerva,  whom  we  supposed  to  be  in  Racine. 
It  is  pleasant  to  meet  with  friends  unexpectedly. 

Friday,  Aug.  27,  1852.  Persis  went  up  to  Mr.  Green's  with  Mi- 
nerva this  afternoon.  Mr.  N.  C.  came  to  bid  us  farewell,  as  he  is 
going  to  start  for  California  tomorrow.  He  staid  and  took  tea  with 
us,  perhaps  for  the  last  time,  though  I  hope  he  may  be  one  of  the 
fortunate  ones,  and  soon  return. 

Sunday  29.  Charles  went  to  Mr.  Sexton's.  L.  Hale  and  Mr. 
True,  from  the  city,  called  here;  also  Robert  Ives  and  Jared  Sexton. 

Monday.  We  attended  a  fimeral  tbday.  Mr.  Goff's  (?)  oldest 
boy  was  killed  by  the  kick  of  a  horse. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  8th.  Today  Persis  and  myself  went  to  Vernon 
to  attend  Miss  Southworth's  school  examination.  There  were  a 
number  of  people  present.  She  closed  her  school  at  three  o'clock, 
and  we  all  went  to  a  swing;  had  fine  times  swinging,  then  went  and 
took  tea  with  Mrs.  Hammond,  after  which  we  came  home.  Miss  S. 
came  with  us  to  spend  three  weeks. 

Wednesday.  Mr.  Shields  is  here  threshing.  We  received  a  letter 
from  father,  Charles  one  from  N.  Cobb. 

Saturday,  11th.  This  afternoon  we  went  to  make  Mrs.  Green  a 
visit.  After  we  had  been  there  a  while  Julia  Clark  came  with  her 
father.  About  four  Charles  came  after  us,  as  Mrs.  Vallier  had 
come  from  Lake  Town  to  see  us;  also  Miss  Sexton. 

Sunday.  We  went  to  see  Julia  Ellsworth  today — came  around  by 
Sexton's.     This  evening  the  Old  Gent  came. 

Monday.  VaUier's  folks  went  home.  I  went  to  Mr.  Ives's  in  the 
afternoon. 

Thursday,  September  23,  1852.  This  morning  about  eight  o'clock 
Mr.  W.  Cobb  took  passage  on  the  Arctic  (boimd  for  New  York)  on 
his  way  to  California.  His  brother  has  now  been  gone  three  weeks. 
When  he  left  here  Tuesday  morning  we  did  not  think  it  would  be  so 
long  ere  we  should  have  the  pleasure  of  again  seeing  him.  It  may 
be  we  shall  never  again  see  him  or  Nathan.  Yet  we  will  hope  for 
the  best,  and  anticipate  spending  many  happy  hours  with  them. 

September  27.  Mary  Sexton  is  with  us.  In  the  evening  Jared 
and  Ben  came.     Dr.  Bigelow  was  here. 

Tuesday.  We  whitewashed  the  chambers.  I  received  a  letter 
from  E.  S.  of  Genesee. 

Thursday.  This  morning  Persis  went  to  help  cousin  Louisa  pre- 
pare for  a  small  party.     We  went  down  just  after  dark.     It  was 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  139 

eight  o'clock  when  we  got  there.  We  staid  till  twelve.  It  was  some 
muddy,  also  rainy,  coming  home. 

Sunday  morning,  Sept.  30th.  It  was  quite  late  this  morning  when 
we  arose.  It  is  a  very  impleasant  morning — rainy  and  muddy. 
After  breakfast  ^^ilIiam  went  and  took  Hannah  Sullivan  home  on 
horseback.  When  we  had  completed  our  work  Ann  and  myself  got 
our  bonnets  and  were  gomg  to  take  a  walk.  Just  as  we  were  on  the 
point  of  starting  I  looked  up  the  road  and  saw  oiu'  folks  coming. 
They  have  just  returned  from  the  East — they  have  been  gone  a  long 
time — Pa  about  three  months,  and  Susan  two.  Mary  is  about  eight 
months  old — she  can  walk  by  holding  on  to  one's  fingers.  Pa's 
health  is  some  better,  though  not  so  he  is  able  to  labor  much.  After 
thej^  had  been  here  a  while  Dr.  Bigelow  and  Mr.  Hawkins  came  to 
see  Pa. 

Weeks  have  flown — yes,  even  months — since  I  have  wTitten  a  line, 
or  even  a  word,  in  my  journal.  I  hope  it  may  not  be  so  long  in 
future. 

January  8th,  1853.  My  father's  health  is  no  better,  but  rather 
poorer  than  when  he  got  back  from  the  East. 


A   SCHOOLMISTEESS   OF    1853 

January  8,  1853.  I  have  been  teaching  in  Mr.  W.  D.  Peck's 
district  four  weeks.  Have  had  thirty-four  pupils.  I  am  boarding 
at  Mr.  EUarson's — a  very  good  boarding-place.  I  attended  a  ball 
at  Mr.  Dewey's,  Christmas;  went  with  sister  and  Billy.  Last  week 
I  closed  my  school  for  the  week  on  Thursday.  Robert  Ives  came 
up  after  me.  It  commenced  sno^\'ing  that  evening  and  snowed  all 
night.  The  next  day  (Friday)  we  went  to  Waterford  to  attend  a 
New  Year's  ball.  There  we  saw  Mr.  Selleck.  Had  a  grand  time. 
Charles  came  from  his  school  in  Hartland  and  went  with  us;  also 
Angeline.  and  Mary  from  jNIilwaukee.  We  got  back  to  Clark's 
about  ten  o'clock.  Mrs.  Clark  desired  us  to  stay  that  evening,  as 
she  was  going  to  give  a  small  party.  We  staid,  and  Charles  and 
Mr.  Jolmson,  our  teacher,  came  up  in  the  evening.  We  had  an 
excellent  supper  and  fine  dance;  got  home  about  one  o'clock.  Went 
to  bed  and  slept  till  nine  next  morning.  That  night  Robert  came 
and  brought  me  up  to  my  school,  and  here  I  am.  But  it  is  almost 
nine,  so  I  must  start  to  school. 

February  11th,  Friday  evening.  Oh  dear!  Everything  has  gone 
wrong  today;  the  young  ones  have  not  half  got  their  lessons,  and 


140  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

such  a  racket  and  confusion  as  there  has  been  all  day  cannot  be 
equalled.  And  what  a  lonely,  dismal  day  we  have  had.  The  sun 
has  not  showed  its  bright  face  since  early  this  morning.  The  wind 
has  been  blowing  bleak  and  cold.  Oh  for  the  bright,  lovely  days 
of  summer,  when  all  is  gay  and  happy,  and  we  can  go  forth  in  the 
dewy  eve,  and  listen  to  many  feathered  songsters  as  they  pour 
forth  their  sweet  note  as  if  in  praise  of  the  Creator  of  all ! 

I  should  be  happy  to  spend  this  evening  at  home.  Last  week  I 
was  there  but  a  few  minutes.  I  staid  at  Mr.  Clark's  Saturday 
night,  and  Smiday  we  had  such  a  pleasant  walk.  The  same  com- 
pany will  never  all  meet  again  together.  One  of  them  is  now  gone, 
another  is  going  ere  long,  perhaps  never  to  return.  Oh,  why  must 
friends  so  soon  leave  each  other's  society,  where  they  have  enjoyed 
many  happy  moments,  and  wander  among  strangers  who  look  upon 
them  coldly,  and  seem  to  care  not  what  may  be  their  fate.?  Yet 
such  is  the  lot  of  man. 

Saturday.  This  has  been  a  lovely  day.  Ida  went  home  with  me 
Saturday  night.  We  walked  as  far  as  Mr.  Clark's,  then  Mr.  Steele 
took  his  horse  and  buggy  and  carried  us  home.  We  found  Mr.  C. 
there.     I  received  a  letter  from  my  schoolmate  J.  B.  N. 

Sunday  was  a  long,  lonely  day  to  me.  The  sun  arose  bright  and 
pleasant,  but  soon  the  fair  heavens  were  overspread  with  dark  clouds, 
and  before  ten  o'clock  the  snow  began  to  fly,  and  continued,  stopping 
only  at  short  intervals,  all  day.  Sunday  evening  was  very  cold. 
Mr.  Johnson  came  and  brought  Ida  and  myself  up  to  Mr.  Morous's. 
We  stopped  at  Mr.  C.'s  and  saw  Sally. 

Monday,  Feb.  14th.  This  is  a  clear,  cold  day,  but  very  pleasant. 
I  came  to  school  this  morning  quite  early.  There  were  only  two 
pupils  here.  I  was  obliged  to  wait  till  twenty  minutes  past  nine  for 
them. 

Tuesday  night.  Last  night  we  had  quite  a  snow  storm.  This 
morning  Henry  yoked  his  oxen,  and  brought  me  to  school.  It  has 
been  rather  a  long  day  to  me.  I  feel  rather  unwell,  so  everything 
goes  wrong,  of  course.  The  sun  has  shone  so  brightly  all  day  that 
our  snow  is  almost  gone.  Mr.  Mills  is  going  to  preach  here  this 
evening.     It  is  rather  doubtful  about  my  attending. 

Wednesday  noon.  It  is  a  beautiful  day;  the  sun  shines  very  warm 
and  pleasant.  The  children  are  rimning  arotmd  and  making  a  great 
racket.  Some  are  sweeping,  and  some  out  of  doors  enjoying  the 
warm  sunshine.  I  did  not  attend  meeting  last  evening,  as  the  road 
was  very  muddy.  I  think  I  shall  this  evening.  I  must  sweep  my 
dusty  schoolroom.     I  went  to  meeting  this  evening.     Mr.  Mills 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  141 

preached.  Going  home  we  met  Maria  Van.  She  invited  me,  also 
Mr.  C,  to  attend  a  party  at  their  house  Friday  evening. 

Thursday  it  snowed  all  day.  In  the  evening  I  came  to  meeting. 
Mr.  M.  did  not  attend,  as  he  was  quite  unwell. 

Friday,  18th.  This  morning  Mr.  Morous  brought  me  to  school. 
The  walking  is  very  bad.  This  afternoon  SaUy  Arm  and  Amy  called 
to  see  me.  A  few  minutes  after  they  came  Mr.  W.  H.  Wise  made 
his  appearance.  He  came  from  Waukesha,  where  he  is  attending 
school.  Friday  evening  after  school  I  went  to  Mr.  EUarson's  and  took 
tea,  then  took  a  sleighride  down  to  Mr.  Clark's.  When  we  got  there 
we  found  the  young  people  from  the  Corners  there  on  their  way  to 
the  party.  Mrs.  Clark's  folks  were  almost  ready.  We  got  there  a 
little  while  after  dark,  then  went  to  Martin's  and  had  a  dance. 
Came  back  to  IVIr.  Van's  and  took  supper,  then  came  to  Clark's  and 
staid  till  morning. 

Saturday  Clark's  folks  went  to  Milwaukee.  Mr.  C.  and  Steele 
and  our  schoolmaster,  Persis,  and  myself  went  down  to  Sally's 
school.  When  we  got  there  we  found  she  was  not  teaching.  So  we 
all  went  to  Hale's  school,  then  came  to  INIr.  Clark's.  Mr.  I.  and 
Persis  went  home  after  spending  the  evening,  but  I  staid,  so  as  to 
come  to  Mr.  Morous's  Simday.  Sally  and  I  went  to  bed  about  twelve 
o'clock.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C,  did  not  retvu-n  from  the  city  Saturday 
night. 

Sunday  morning.  Sally  and  myself  arose  quite  late.  It  was 
snowing  very  hard,  and  continued  till  ten  o'clock.  We  took  a 
walk  to  the  lake,  came  back  and  read  awhile,  then  helped  Mr.  C. 
write  a  letter.     Sunday  evening  we  retired  at  ten. 

Monday  morning.  Mr.  Steele  came  and  brought  me  up  to 
school.  Monday  evening  I  came  to  meeting.  Mr.  C.  and  his  family 
were  here.     They  are  going  to  have  a  small  party  tomorrow  evening. 

Tuesday  evening.  After  school  I  went  to  EUarson's,  and  pre- 
pared to  go  to  the  party.  I  had  not  been  there  but  a  few  minutes 
when  a  family  from  Racine  came.  I  dressed,  then  helped  Mrs.  E. 
get  tea.  After  tea  Mr.  Steele  came  after  me.  When  we  got  to 
Clark's  Persis  was  there.  We  had  a  good  time.  I  came  back  next 
morning  in  time  to  commence  my  school. 

Wednesday  evening.  I  came  to  meeting.  There  were  not  a 
great  many  present.  IVIr.  C.  came,  and  brought  me  two  letters 
from  brother.     He  called  at  Mr.  Morous's,  and  staid  a  while. 

Thursday  afternoon.  Sallie  Johnson  called  and  staid  with  me  in 
the  afternoon.  After  school  I  went  up  to  Mr.  Reynolds's  with  her. 
We  went  and  spent  the  evening  with  Miss  Smith. 


142  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Friday.  About  ten  o'clock  my  friend  F.  B.  came  to  spend  the 
day  with  me.  He  is  rather  lonely;  he  is  going  to  leave  us  Saturday 
or  Simday  and  go  to  his  home.  We  shall  miss  his  society  very  much.^ 
In  the  afternoon  Sallie  and  Miss  Smith  came.  We  all  went  to  Mrs. 
Smith's  after  school  and  took  tea,  then  came  to  meeting.  From 
there  I  went  home  with  Sallie. 

Saturday  morning.  It  is  very  pleasant — also  muddy.  Sallie 
and  myself  were  going  to  Mr.  Johnson's  school,  but  did  not  feel 
very  well.  Frank  went,  and  I.  and  P.  came  and  brought  him 
home.     While  he  was  gone  his  brother  came  after  him. 

Saturday  evening.  We  felt  as  though  it  might  be  the  last  evening 
we  should  spend  with  Mr.  C,  We  sat  up  till  quite  late.  I  shall  not 
say  how  late  it  was  when  some  of  us  retired. 

Sunday  morning.  How  lonely  it  appears  without;  everything 
corresponds  with  our  feelings.  The  sky  is  overcast  with  dark 
clouds,  and  aU  nature  seems  husheid  in  dread  repose.  After  break- 
fast our  friend  prepared  to  take  his  leave.  Why  do  all  look  so  sad.^^ 
It  is  because  a  dear  friend  is  going.  They  went  about  nine  o'clock. 
May  happiness  be  ever  his,  and  dear  and  kind  friends  minister  to 
his  wants,  and  console  him  in  trouble  and  affliction,  and  when  he  is 
called  to  leave  this  world  of  trials  may  angels  conduct  him  to  that 
celestial  world  where  all  is  peace  and  happiness,  and  partings  are 
never  known ! 

Oh,  what  a  long  day  this  has  been!  Some  have  been  reading, 
some  writing,  and  some  singing.  They  are  very  kind  to  me,  trying 
to  make  the  time  pass  pleasantly.  And  all  because  F.  B.  C.  is  gone, 
they  say.  Our  folks  went  home  about  four.  Then  the  rest  of  us 
came  to  meeting.  Mills  took  his  text  from  the  fifth  chapter  of 
Galatians,  seventh  and  eighth  verses.  I  rode  back  to  Morous's 
with  Clark.     I  fotmd  them  all  well  and  enjoying  life. 

Monday.  Mr.  M.  brought  me  to  school  this  morning.  The  mud 
is  nearly  over  our  shoes.  I  went  to  meeting  in  the  evening,  and  thus 
passed  the  first  day  of  the  week  in  the  sober  routine  of  school  duties. 

Tuesday  night.  This  is  the  first  day  of  spring.  I  hope  it  is  not 
an  emblem  of  the  rest  of  the  spring.  If  it  is,  I  can  but  say:  "Oh, 
for  pleasant  summer!" 

March  3rd.  Oh,  what  a  lovely  evening!  It  would  be  pleasant  to 
take  a  walk.  I  have  been  sweeping,  and  now  my  schoolroom  looks 
very  neat — ^neater  than  it  will  after  meeting,  I  imagine.  I  went  to 
my  dinner  today  noon,  and  left  the  yoimg  ones  alone.  It  is  the 
first  time  I  have  been  home  after  my  dinner  since  I  came  here. 
How  happy  would  I  be  could  I  but  see  the  one  that  I  saw  one  week 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM    REPUBLIC  143 

ago  tonight!  But  no,  it  is  impossible.  He  is  far  away.  This  has 
been  a  lovely  day.     I  saw  Ida  at  noon  at  Mr.  Babcock's. 

Thursday.  This  afternoon,  just  after  school  commenced,  some- 
one came  to  the  door  and  knocked.  I  opened  it,  and  whom  should 
I  see  but  Persis !  I  was  surprised  to  see  her,  as  I  had  not  the  least 
idea  she  would  come  at  all.  Steele  came  wath  her.  After  school  I 
went  with  Steele  to  take  P.  home,  then  came  back  and  staid  at 
Morous's  all  night.     Steele  spent  the  evening  there. 

Friday  evening.  This  is  the  pleasantest  evening  we  have  had 
this  spring.  It  is  a  lovely  evening!  One  week  ago  this  evening  I 
was  with  Sallie  and  Mr.  Cram  in  this  very  room,  but  now  they  are 
both  gone,  and  I  am  here  alone.  I  should  be  very  happy  to  see 
them  a  few  moments  this  evening. 

6 

A  Spring  Vacation 

Saturday.     I  must  close  school  early  tonight,  for  I  am  going  home. 

Saturday  night.  I  walked  home;  stopped  at  the  P.  O.  and  put  a 
letter  in  for  A.  H.  Colburn.  Wlien  I  got  home  I  found  father  very 
sick.  The  rest  were  well.  Persis  and  Mr.  Johnson  had  a  great  deal 
to  say  about  the  Saturday  night  that  we  were  all  up  to  Clark's, 
Mr.  Cram's  last  night  in  Muskego,  also  about  galvanizing  watches. 

Simday.  Sallie  Johnson  and  Robert  called  and  staid  with  us  an 
hour  or  two.  Pa  had  a  fainting  fit,  which  frightened  us  very  much. 
About  two  o'clock  Persis  and  Johnson  came  to  bring  me  home.  I 
staid  at  Morous's  all  night,  and  it  is  now  INIonday  noon  and  here  I 
am  in  my  schoolroom. 

Tuesday  forenoon.  I  arose  at  half  past  six  o'clock  this  morning. 
There  was  every  appearance  of  its  being  a  pleasant  day.  The  sun 
soon  hid  behind  a  dark  cloud,  and  there  it  has  been  ever  since. 
About  four  o'clock  the  wind  began  blowing  at  a.  furious  rate,  and  the 
snow  came  with  it.     Thus  it  continued  all  the  evening. 

Wednesday.  The  morning  is  pleasant,  but  cold.  I  have  not  a 
very  large  number  of  pupils  in  attendance.  The  snow  of  last  night 
is  now  all,  or  nearly  all,  gone.  I  must  close  school  as  early  as  pos- 
sible and  go  to  Mr.  Morous's  and  do  some  wasliing.  I  expect  my 
friend  Johnson  up  to  see  me  this  evening. 

Thursday  noon.  I  went  home  last  night  and  went  to  washing. 
I  received  a  letter  from  a  very  dear  friend.  I  was  very  happy  to 
receive  it.  I  hope  I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  writer  ere 
long.     Mr.  J.  went  home  about  nine  o'clock. 


144  THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Thursday  afternoon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burritt  called  and  staid 
with  me  an  hour  or  two.  Thursday  evening  after  school  I  staid 
and  swept  my  schoolroom.  Going  home  I  met  Mr.  Sexton  and 
Mary  E,  Taylor.  They  were  going  to  Cole's.  After  tea  Ida  called 
to  see  me.  When  she  went  home  Morous  went  a  part  of  the  way 
with  her.     After  she  went  I  did  my  ironing. 

Friday  noon.  This  morning  I  arose  late — did  not  get  to  school 
till  a  few  miuutes  before  nine.  Tomorrow  I  am  going  to  Hartland 
with  Persis  and  Johnson. 

Tuesday.  Last  Friday  night  I  staid  at  Mr.  Babcock's.  Satur- 
day morning  arose  quite  early  and  went  to  Mr.  EUarson's  to  prepare 
for  going  to  Hartland.  I  dressed,  then  helped  Fynette  get  her  work 
out  of  the  way.  Mrs.  E.  went  down  to  the  Drought  neighborhood 
to  quarterly  meeting.  I  had  got  the  work  all  done  and  sat  down  to 
sewing,  when  Mr.  Johnson  and  sister  came.  We  got  to  Waukesha 
about  noon.  We  had  not  been  there  long  when  I  looked  out  and  saw 
Charles  coming.  We  were  glad  to  be  saved  the  journey  of  going 
to  Hartland  in  the  mud.  After  dinner  I  went  to  the  bookstore  and 
purchased  some  books  and  tickets  for  my  scholars.  About  two 
o'clock  we  started  for  SaylesvUle.  Charles  and  Mr.  Wicks  went 
with  us.  We  had  a  pleasant  ride,  though  a  very  muddy  one.  It 
was  nearly  four  when  we  got  to  Mr.  Bartholomew's.  We  came  by 
the  way  of  Mr.  Cram's  to  have  F.  go  with  us,  but  he  was  gone.  I 
like  Mrs.  B.  very  much.  She  is  very  lively — ^looks  much  like  her 
brother  Smith.  Sunday  we  went  out  and  took  a  walk  on  the  hills 
that  boimd  Saylesville  on  the  south;  had  a  very  pleasant  time. 
We  went  back  and  took  dinner,  then  started  for  Muskego.  When 
shall  we  have  the  pleasure  of  again  seeing  Mr.  Johnson.?  His  school 
is  now  out,  and  he  has  left  us.  We  came  as  far  as  Mukwonago,  and 
stopped  and  warmed,  then  came  as  far  as  Martin's,  where  we  met 
Sallie.  Charles  and  Persis  staid  the  evening,  then  went  home.  I 
staid  aU  night.  In  the  morning  S.  went  to  her  school.  I  wrote  a 
letter  to  F.  in  answer  to  his  of  last  week.  Then  Steele  brought  me 
to  EUarson's.  I  changed  my  dress  and  called  on  Ida,  came  back, 
and  staid  at  Mr.  Babcock's  all  night. 

7 

School  Again,  and  Twenty 

Tuesday.  I  am  in  school  once  more — have  only  nineteen  pupils 
today.  Tuesday  evening  I  washed  some.  After  I  had  got  done 
Ida,  Betsy,  and  Miss  Weir  called  and  spent  the  evening  with  me. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  145 

Wednesday,  March  16th.  This  is  my  birthday.  I  am  now 
twenty.  How  differently  am  I  situated  from  what  I  was  one  year 
ago  toda3\  Michael  Post  started  for  the  gold  region.  Where  shall 
I  be  one  year  from  this  day.^  None  but  the  great  Ruler  of  all  can 
tell.  In  the  afternoon  Ida  came  to  see  me.  After  school  I  swept, 
then  we  sat  down  and  chatted  till  sundown,  and  then  went  to  Mr. 
Morous's  and  spent  the  evening. 

Thursday.  Mrs.  Babcock  has  gone  to  see  her  daughter.  I  must 
go  and  get  tea  for  Mr.  B.  tliis  evening. 

Thursday.  Oh  dear!  What  a  long  daj'  this  has  been!  I  wash 
school  was  out.  This  has  been  the  warmest  day  of  spring  so  far. 
Miss  Clara  Cole  just  came  and  called  at  the  door  a  moment.  I 
wish  I  could  see  Jimmy  and  his  sister.     Oh  dear,  I  feel  like  a  fooll 

Thursday  evening.  About  three  o'clock  the  heavens  became  over- 
cast with  clouds,  and  everything  had  the  appearance  of  an  approach- 
ing storm.  I  was  obliged  to  stay  with  one  of  my  pupils  after  school 
till  nearly  five.  By  that  time  the  rain  was  falling  in  large  drops. 
I  imagine  she  had  a  pleasant  walk  home.  I  went  to  Mr.  B.'s  and 
got  tea  for  him,  and  then  washed  the  dishes  and  went  to  knitting. 
He  went  to  prayer  meeting,  and  left  me  alone.  I  had  a  lonely  time 
of  it.  All  I  could  hear  was  the  monotonous  sound  of  the  rain  falling 
on  the  roof.  I  was  obliged  to  sing  "  They  have  given  her  to  another  " 
to  keep  from  being  too  lonely.  If  Jirmny  had  only  stopped  in  just 
then  we  would  have  had  a  social  time. 

Friday  eve.  This  morning  I  arose  quite  early  and  prepared  break- 
fast. Just  after  sunrise  Mr.  Virgil  Cobb  and  Miss  Julia  Ellsworth 
passed  by  on  their  way  home  from  Martin's  sugar  party.  I  washed 
the  dishes,  made  the  beds,  swept,  and  attended  to  numerous  other 
household  duties,  then  combed  my  hair,  and  prepared  to  come  to 
school.     Mr.  Mills  called  when  I  was  washing  dishes. 

Thursday  evening.  School  would  close  now  for  tonight,  but  the 
geography  class  have  not  their  lessons.  There  sits  a  girl,  cramming 
her  mouth  full  of  small  stones.  I  shall  be  rather  lonely  when  I 
leave  my  scholars,  which  will  be  in  a  week,  and  a  few  days.  I 
have  passed  many  pleasant  hours  with  them.  My  children  have 
now  got  their  lessons.  I  will  close  school  for  today,  then  sweep  and 
go  to  Mr.  Babcock's  and  do  my  ironing,  and  see  if  She  has  returned; 
if  not  I  will  be  obliged  to  get  tea  again. 

Saturday  morning.     I  almost  imagined  when  I  arose  this  morning 

that  summer  was  once  more  with  us,  with  her  warm,  sunshiny  days 

and  bright,  beautiful  flowers.     I  came  to  school  at  eight  o'clock  this 

morning,  and  wrote  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Bartholomew.     I  am  going 

10 


146  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

home  tonight  after  school.  Last  night  I  staid  here  at  the  school- 
house  till  sundown.  When  I  got  to  Mr.  B.'s  I  had  to  make  a  fire 
and  go  to  gettmg  tea.  When  it  was  partly  ready,  She  came. 
After  tea  I  ironed,  and  then  retired.  I  have  a  very  small  number 
of  pupils  today.  It  seems  rather  lonesome.  The  mud  keeps  them 
at  home.     No  wonder! 

Monday  morning.  This  is  a  pleasant  morning.  I  arose  early 
and  came  to  my  school  again.  Found  everything  as  I  left  them. 
Saturday  night  I  went  home,  Sunday,  came  back,  stopped  at  Mr. 
Clark's  and  took  tea,  got  to  Mr.  Babcock's  after  dark,  read  a  story, 
then  went  to  bed. 

Tuesday  evening.  Last  night  I  staid  at  Mr.  Muckey's.  Was 
much  amused  to  hear  Mr.  M.  tell  his  stories.  Mr.  Clark  called  to 
see  me  this  morning.  Tuesday  evening  I  called  on  Ida;  found  she 
had  a  beau,  so  I  went  up  to  see  Sarah  Smith;  found  Maria  Vander- 
walker  with  her.  We  had  a  very  good  visit.  Sat  up  till  eleven 
o'clock. 

Wednesday  evening.  This  morning  I  arose  and  pulled  Sarah 
and  Maria  out  of  bed  about  a  dozen  times,  then  left  them  to  their 
own  destruction,  and  went  and  combed  my  hair.  Lucien  fastened 
S.  into  the  bedroom,  so  it  made  her  breakfast  late.  It  was  five 
minutes  to  nine  when  I  started  for  school.  When  I  got  here  a  num- 
ber of  my  pupils  were  assembled  around  the  door.  I  unlocked  the 
door  and  came  in.  The  room  was  very  cold.  I  sent  after  some 
fire,  then  went  out  and  picked  up  some  chips,  and  had  a  good  fire  in 
a  short  time.  When  I  commenced  school  it  was  half  past  nine.  I 
shall  keep  them  half  an  hour  this  noon.  This  morning  I  saw  Mr. 
Hibbard  from  Troy.  He  was  passing,  and  something  was  said  in 
sport  about  calling  him  in,  when  Lucien  stuck  his  head  out  of  the 
door  and  told  him  the  girls  wanted  to  see  him.  He  came  in.  We 
ran  into  the  other  room,  but  he  came  in  and  sat  down,  and  we  were 
obliged  to  come  out  and  see  him.  He  sat  a  few  minutes  and  took 
his  leave.  I  became  acquainted  with  him  at  a  Christmas  ball  at 
Dewey's. 

Thursday  morning.  Last  evening  Mr.  Steele  came  after  me  to 
go  to  Mr.  Clark's  and  spend  the  night.  Mr.  Reymert's  folks  came, 
also  Mr.  Martm's,  and  Reynolds's.  There  I  was,  with  the  married 
people!  I  enjoyed  myself  well,  however.  We  had  supper  about 
ten  o'clock,  then  cleared  the  table  and  danced  awhUe.  They 
sent  Jolm  Clarke  after  Ida,  but  she  would  not  come.  The  Captain 
was  very  much  disappointed. 

Friday.     Last  evening  when  I  had  got  nearly  done  sweeping,  Ida 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  147 

and  Betsy  Cole  called  on  me  and  staid  about  an  hour,  then  B.  went 
home,  and  Ida  and  myself  staid  here  tUl  sundown.  I  then  went 
part  way  with  her,  came  back,  and  went  to  stay  with  Mrs.  Ellarson 
all  night.     We  had  some  warm  sugar,  which  was  very  nice. 

Friday  afternoon.  Persis  and  Sallie  and  Mrs.  Reynolds  have 
just  left  me.  They  were  going  to  the  river,  and  are  going  to  call  for 
me  when  they  come  back.  Shall  I  go.'*  I  hardly  know  what  to 
say  about  it.     If  I  do,  I  will  not  teach  tomorrow. 

Monday.  Friday  night  I  went  to  Clark's  with  P.  and  Sally,  and 
staid  there  till  today.  P.  went  home  Saturday  morning.  I  helped 
Mrs,  C.  mend  in  the  forenoon.  In  the  afternoon  we  went  to  the 
Bend.  Stopped  at  Dr.  Putnam's  and  ate  some  warm  sugar  as  we 
were  returning.  We  got  home  about  seven  o'clock — found  Mr. 
Graves  there.  I  finished  Mrs.  C.'s  sacque,  then  retired.  Sun- 
day Sallie  and  myself  arose  and  took  a  walk  do^Ti  to  the  lake 
before  breakfast,  which  gave  us  a  good  appetite.  Sunday  afternoon, 
Sallie  and  myself  got  Dr.  Bigelow  to  let  us  take  his  horse.  He 
went  and  harnessed  and  brought  him  to  the  door,  and  away  we  went 
down  the  road  toward  Reymert's.  Sallie  held  the  reins,  and  I  the 
whip,  which  I  had  to  use  frequently;  so  much  that  my  arm  is  lame 
today.  We  went  just  below  Elliott's,  and  then  concluded  to  go 
and  see  my  folks.  We  turned  off  of  the  plank,  and  away  we  went 
through  the  mud.  The  Old  Doctor  was  determined  not  to  hurt 
himself  by  going  fast,  so  he  moped  along  at  the  alarming  rate  of  a 
mile  in  ten  hours.  We  got  through  the  mud  without  any  serious 
injury,  and  arrived  at  home  about  four  o'clock.  Persis  was  at 
Uncle  Asa's,  so  we  went  up  there,  taking  Charles  with  us.  We 
took  tea  there,  then  came  back.     Our  horse  came  back  good. 

We  walked  down  to  John  McKowan's  in  the  evening,  came  back, 
and  went  to  bed. 

Monday  night.  This  morning  Steele  came  and  brought  me  up. 
There  was  no  fire,  but  I  soon  made  one. 

Monday  evening.  I  took  tea  with  Mrs.  Burritt,  then  went  and 
spent  the  night  at  Mr.  Morous's. 

Tuesday  morning,  March  30th.  This  morning  when  I  awoke  my 
throat  was  so  sore  I  could  hardly  speak.  It  is  some  better  now, 
although  quite  bad.     This  is  the  last  day  of  school  for  this  winter. 

8 

At  Home 

Sunday,  April  10th.  It  has  been  a  long,  long  time  since  I  have 
written  a  word  in  my  journal.     The  day  after  my  school  closed  I 


148  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

was  taken  sick,  and  have  been  so  ever  since.  My  ear  began  to 
pain  me  in  the  morning,  and  continued  till  night,  when  it  began  to 
discharge  matter.  When  I  got  home  they  steamed  my  ear,  which 
made  it  feel  some  better.  Saturday  Mr.  Johnson  came  to  see  us. 
I  could  not  enjoy  myself  any — was  obliged  to  keep  my  bed  a  part 
of  the  time.  Sunday  Persis  went  down  to  Ives's  to  commence  her 
school  on  Monday  morning,  which  she  has  taken  for  the  term  of 
three  months.  Friday  evening,  April  8th,  Sarah  Reynolds  came  just 
after  dark  to  make  us  a  visit.  Saturday  General  Strut  came  from 
Waukesha.  As  soon  as  he  came  we  sent  him  after  Persis.  She 
seems  much  pleased  with  her  school.  We  were  all  seated  on  the 
-  floor  in  the  kitchen  Saturday  evening  when  some  one  came  and 
rapped  at  the  door.  We  hustled  about  and  got  up — opened  the 
door,  and  there  was  our  dear  friend  Frank  and  Mr.  Steele.  If  I 
had  been  well  I  should  have  had  a  fine  time.  Sunday,  about  noon, 
Sarah  bid  us  farewell,  perhaps  forever.  This  week  she  is  going  to 
Ohio  with  Clarke.  I  hope  we  may  meet  again.  We  have  passed 
many  pleasant  hours  together  during  the  past  winter.  How  often 
shall  I  recall  to  memory  the  happy  hours  we  have  spent  together. 
At  two  o'clock  F.  went  home.  When  shall  we  see  him  again  .^ 
Perhaps  never.  Life  is  one  continual  scene  of— but  I  cannot  write 
any  more  now;  my  ear  pains  me  so  much. 

Monday.  I  did  the  housework  while  S.  washed.  It  commenced 
raining  in  the  evening — rained  all  day  Tuesday  and  Wednesday. 

Thursday.  This  morning  when  I  arose  everything  without  was 
covered  with  snow.  It  looked  dreary  enough.  About  noon  the 
sun  began  to  shine  rather  warm,  which  soon  sent  the  cold  snow  from 
the  face  of  the  earth.  How  lonely  it  seems  here  to  have  Persis 
absent.     I  wish  I  could  see  her  tonight. 

Friday  evening,  6  o'clock.  Another  long  day  has  passed  into 
eternity.  How  slowly  time  passes  to  me.  I  am  here  all  alone 
with  our  folks,  and  not  a  soul  has  been  here  this  week.  Father's 
health  has  been  miserable,  which  renders  it  more  unpleasant.  My 
school  has  been  out  almost  three  weeks;  it  seems  more  like  three 
months.  Persis  has  now  been  teaching  two  weeks.  I  wonder  if 
she  will  come  home  tomorrow.  It  has  now  clouded  up,  and  has 
every  appearance  of  a  storm.  I  hope  it  may  not  rain  again  so  soon. 
I  should  like  to  be  placed  in  California  for  a  few  minutes  this  evening, 
and  have  a  chat  with  our  friend  Michael  Post.  It  is  very  likely  he 
would  like  to  see  someone  from  the  town  of  Muskego  again.  I  will 
not  write  any  more  tonight.  My  head  pains  me  some — on  account 
of  my  ear,  no  doubt.     Will  it  ever  get  well.^ 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM    REPUBLIC  149 

Sunday,  April  17th.  I  have  been  out  to  Vernon  today  to  see 
Angeline.  It  was  about  noon  when  we  got  there — found  Mr.  Web- 
ster's folks  pretty  well.  We  took  a  walk  up  to  the  schoolhouse 
where  Ann  is  going  to  teach  this  summer.  Tea  wa,s  ready  when  we 
returned,  so  we  sat  down  and  drank  it,  then  prepared  to  come  home. 
Charles  would  not  come  home  without  Ann,  so  she  came  with  us. 
We  arrived  at  home  just  dark. 

Monday,  18.  Today  I  helped  wash — the  first  washing  I  have 
done  in  a  long  time.  I  was  very  tired  when  we  got  through.  I 
went  to  bed  and  had  a  nap,  which  rested  me  some.  After  tea  Mr. 
Cobb  called  to  see  father. 

Tuesday,  19.  My  ear  pains  me  a  considerable  yet.  I  don't 
know  as  it  is  ever  going  to  get  well.  S.  is  cleaning  and  whitewas.hing 
her  bedroom  this  forenoon.  This  afternoon  Angeline  and  I  went 
up  to  see  Aunt  Hannah.  Charles  came  about  three  o'clock  to  take 
A.  home.  I  staid  till  after  tea,  then  called  to  see  Aunt  Nancy. 
She  was  well,  and  glad  to  see  me.  After  I  had  been  home  a  while 
Charles  brought  me  a  sweet  little  book  from  the  Center  P.  O.  which 
my  friend  Frank  had  the  kindness  to  send  me.     It  is  very  pretty. 

Wednesday  evening,  April  20th.  This  is  a  beautiful  evening, 
though  there  are  some  appearances  of  rain.  We  have  been  cleaning 
house  today.  I  am  very  weary.  My  head  feels  very  bad,  also. 
I  received  another  letter  from  Mr.  C.  today.  I  did  not  expect  it. 
I  should  be  happy  to  see  him  this  evening,  and  Persis,  too.  She 
has  not  been  at  home  in  a  long  time.  Pa  is  no  better.  I  fear  he 
never  will  be  more.     We  must  trust  in  Providence. 

9 
A  Busy  Season 

Thursday,  21st.  We  have  got  our  kitchen  cleaned  today — got 
through  about  tlu-ee  o'clock.  Robert  called  after  his  papers.  I 
sent  a  line  to  Persis  by  him.  How  dreary  everytliing  without  ap- 
pears !  I  think  we  are  going  to  get  a  shower.  The  rumbling  thunder 
may  be  heard  at  short  intervals  in  the  west,  and  ever  and  anon  a 
flash  of  lightning  crosses  our  sight.  There,  the  rain  begins  to  patter 
against  my  window  thick  and  fast! 

Friday.  This  forenoon  I  ironed;  in  the  afternoon  trimmed  my 
bonnet.  After  tea  I  went  up  to  Mr.  Morous's  to  see  about  taking 
that  school,  but  found  it  engaged.  I  got  home  about  eight.  I  then 
wrote  a  letter  to  my  friend  B.  F.  C. 

Saturday.  This  is  a  cold,  windy  mornmg.  C.  D.  has  gone  to 
Hartland.     I  washed  the  dishes,  churned,  and  attended  to  numerous 


150  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

other  household  duties,  then  went  to  see  Persis.  I  expected  to  find 
her  in  her  school,  but  did  not.  She  was  up  to  Sexton's.  Robert 
went  up  after  her.     It  commenced  raining  just  before  dark, 

Sunday  24th.  "VVlien  I  awoke  the  first  thing  I  did  was  to  pull 
the  curtain  aside  to  see  if  it  had  done  stormmg.  The  ground  was 
covered  with  snow,  and  it  was  storming  for  certain,  and  continued 
to  storm  all  day  Simday  till  four  o'clock. 

Monday,  April  25th.  The  sun  was  shming  brightly  when  we 
got  up.  Persis  and  myself  got  breakfast.  Mrs.  Ives  was  sick.  We 
washed  the  dishes,  then  Robert  took  us  down  to  Drought's  to  see 
if  I  could  get  their  school.  The  clerk  was  gone — ^his  father  said 
he  would  come  up  to  Ives's  and  see  me  when  he  got  back,  but  he 
did  not.  I  visited  P.'s  school.  After  school  was  out  we  went  to 
Mr.  Ives's  and  took  tea.  Then  Robert  harnessed  his  horses  and 
brought  me  home. 

Tuesday.     We  washed. 

Wednesday.  Charles  and  I  went  to  a  funeral  at  our  schoolhouse. 
Mr.  Smith's  brother  was  buried.  It  is  supposed  he  starved  himself 
to  death.  He  said,  "Christ  fasted  forty  days,  and  he  would  do  the 
same."  He  has  been  sick  all  the  spring;  he  said  he  wanted  to  die, 
when  someone  was  persuading  him  to  eat.  Poor  fellow  is  now  at 
rest  in  the  peaceful  grave.  When  we  got  home  I  found  a  letter 
from  my  Aunt  Helen.  Also  one  from  Angeline.  I  was  very  happy 
to  hear  from  Aunt. 

Thursday.  What  a  day  this  has  been — ^rain,  rain,  rain,  every 
five  minutes  aU  day!  I  have  been  cleaning  the  chambers,  filling 
straw  ticks,  cording  bedsteads,  etc.     Pa  has  not  been  as  well  today. 

Friday,  29th.  Charles  and  I  went  to  Milwaukee  today — found 
it  very  cold  going  in,  but  warmer  coming  home.  I  bought  me  a 
dress,  silk  apron,  etc.,  etc. 

Saturday.  I  arose  early,  and  mopped  the  chambers,  the  dining- 
room  floor,  and  got  my  work  out  of  the  way,  then  went  after  Miss 
Bowe,  our  teacher.  I  stopped  at  Mr.  Vandeworkers,  and  Maria 
went  the  rest  of  the  way  with  me.  We  arrived  at  the  Prairie  about 
one,  staid  tUl  Miss  B.  got  ready,  then  took  our  homeward  road — 
arrived  at  JVIr.  Whitcome's  at  three,  when  Miss  B.  was  obliged  to 
stop  and  get  inspected.  We  took  tea  there,  and  did  not  get  started 
home  till  simdown.     It  was  dark  when  we  got  to  our  journey's  end. 

Sunday,  May  first.  This  has  been  a  very  cold,  windy  day.  Persis 
and  Robert  came  about  noon.  We  aJl  went  down  to  Dr.  Ellsworth's 
for  a  ride  in  the  afternoon. 

Monday.     We  did  a  large  washing,  I  made  my  silk  apron,  etc. 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  151 

Tuesday,  May  3rd.  This  morning  after  washing  dishes  I  did 
some  whitewashing,  and  Susan  cleaned  the  woodshed.  After  dinner 
I  went  to  sewing  on  my  dress.  Aunt  Nancy  called  to  see  us,  and 
staid  about  an  hour.  Father  is  now  quite  sick,  worse  than  he  has 
been  before.  Charles  is  also  quite  unwell — has  a  sore  throat  and  a 
severe  headache,  I  trust  it  is  caused  by  a  cold  and  he  will  feel  better 
in  the  morning. 

Wednesday.  It  has  rained  all  day  without  cessation,  and  is  now 
raining  hard.  I  received  a  letter  from  Nancy  Finch  toda\',  which 
informs  me  that  she  is  now  in  Iowa. 

Thursday,  and  Friday.  Rain,  rain,  rain — that  is  all  I  can  say 
about  these  two  days. 

IMay  18th.  It  has  been  almost  three  weeks  since  I  have  ^Titten 
in  my  journal.  A  week  ago  last  Sunday  Charles  and  I  went  to  see 
Persis.  We  foimd  her  quite  unwell,  so  the  next  day,  after  washing, 
Pa  said  I  had  better  go  and  take  her  place  a  week. 

Monday  evening  I  went  do^-n,  and  she  came  home.  Tuesday  I 
went  into  her  school — there  were  but  six  pupils  there.  Wednesday, 
Thomas  T.,  Robert,  Henry  Drought,  and  John  Hay  called  and  spent 
a  part  of  the  afternoon  with  me.  Friday,  Mary  Sexton  came  to 
see  me,  and  staid  the  night.  Saturday,  Mr.  Hill  was  at  school,  also 
Miss  Sexton  and  Hay.  We  took  tea  at  ]Mr.  Roe's,  after  which  we 
went  to  the  lake.  Came  back  to  Sexton's,  and  Robert  wished  me 
to  stay  there,  so  he  could  go  a-fishing.  He  went,  and  was  caught 
out  on  the  lake  in  a  thunder-shower — got  wet  as  possible,  and  came 
home.  Simday  morning  I  went  back  to  Ives's — found  Mrs.  I.  quite 
imwell.  Sunday  eve  R.  and  myself  took  a  walk  up  to  the  grave- 
yard. Monday  morning  I  got  up  and  got  breakfast.  Mrs.  I.  not 
being  able,  I  did  the  work,  then  went  to  school.  There  were  eight- 
een little  hrats  around  the  door  when  I  got  there.  Monday  eve  P. 
came  back  to  her  school.  She  brought  me  a  couple  of  letters — 
one  from  Sallie,  and  one  from  R.  A.  Campbell.  Tuesday  we 
washed. 

Wednesday.  Susan  is  very  unwell  today.  I  have  been  to  work 
hard  all  day.  She  has  taken  some  pills  tonight.  I  hope  she  may 
feel  better  tomorrow. 

Friday.  Mrs.  Hale  and  her  daughter  called  and  spent  the  after- 
noon with  us.     Robert  brought  Persis  home  just  before  dark. 

Saturday,  21st.  Persis  and  myself,  also  Miss  Bowe,  went  to 
Milwaukee;  took  our  one-horse  wagon  and  drove  for  ourselves.  We 
got  there  safe  about  noon.  We  went  out  and  did  our  trading,  then 
came  back  to  the  Tremont  house  after  our  horse.     They  would  not 


152  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

let  us  have  him  till  we  had  given  them  a  dollar — for  four  quarts  of 
oats,  and  a  pie. 

Monday.  I  went  and  took  P.  down  to  her  school.  We  called  at 
Sexton's,  and  the  first  person  we  saw  was  Jared.  I  was  very  glad 
to  see  him:   I  have  not  seen  him  before  since  last  fall. 

Wednesday.  Mrs.  Green  spent  the  afternoon  with  us.  I  went 
home  with  her  and  staid  all  night.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Johnson.  John  B.  Nicholson  is  teaching  our  school.  Frank  C. 
has  been  teaching  at  Hartland,  but  has  now  gone  home.  Chas.  S. 
Canright  called  here  yesterday.  He  has  been  up  north  for  the  past 
four  years.  Robert  Ives  has  been  here  today — he  brought  a  letter 
from  Mary  Sexton. 

Sunday,  29th  May,  1853.  Charles  and  I  went  down  to  Ives's, 
and  from  there  to  the  Drought  schoolhouse  to  meeting.  We  came 
back  to  I.'s  and  took  dinner,  then  came  up  to  Sexton's  and  stopped 
to  see  J.  and  Ben.  We  came  home  just  in  time  to  avoid  a  heavy 
thunder-shower. 

Monday.  C.  and  Susan  went  to  the  city,  and  did  not  get  home 
till  late. 

Tuesday,  May  31st.  I  have  just  returned  from  the  lake.  I  went 
and  had  a  boat-ride  with  Persis,  and  Mary  S.,  J.  and  B.,  and  R.  I.  B. 
accompanied  me  home.  He  is  going  to  start  for  Michigan  again 
Thursday. 

10 
A  Death,  and  Two  Marriages 

Sunday,  Feb.  12th,  1854.  A  very  long  time  has  elapsed  since  I 
last  wrote  on  these  pages,  and  under  very  different  circumstances 
do  I  now  write.  My  father  has  gone  to  his  last  resting-place.  He 
died  the  17th  of  June  last.  My  brother  and  sister  were  married 
the  9th  of  November.  I  have  lived  with  Persis  the  most  of  the 
time  this  winter.  I  kept  house  for  her  the  week  before  last.  She 
had  gone  to  Fond  du  Lac  on  a  visit.  When  she  came  back  Mr. 
Van  Deren  came  with  her.  The  second  time  I  saw  him  he  asked 
me  to  sit  up  with  him,  and  also  wanted  me  to  consent  to  go  to  Eden 
with  him;  but  I  told  him  I  would  rather  not.  We  have  had  good 
sleighing  for  about  a  month  and  a  half — something  very  uncommon 
for  Wisconsin. 

Everything  seems  to  say  we  shall  soon  lose  all  the  snow  which 
now  covers  the  ground.  It  is  quite  warm,  and  puddles  of  water  are 
to  be  seen  standing  in  the  road  and  elsewhere.     I  have  been  writing 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  153 

to  my  friend  Augusta  H.  Colburn  today.  I  also  wrote  a  few  lines 
to  Obed  Russell  in  John's  letter.  I  must  go  down  stairs  and  eat 
supper,  then  wash  the  dishes,  read  some,  and  go  to  bed.  I  have 
been  rather  lonely  today. 

Monday.  Today  is  washing  day.  After  noon,  went  upstairs  and 
read  in  "Prairie  Bird"  till  dark.  This  is  an  excellent  book  describ- 
ing the  manners  and  customs  of  the  Indians.  We  also  listened  to 
some  of  it  read  by  J.  B.  Nicholson  in  the  evening. 

Tuesday.  This  has  been  a  very  stormy  day — wind  in  the  north- 
east, and  snow  flying  like  fury.  WTien  the  mail  came  it  brought  me 
a  letter  from  my  friend  SaUie.  She  was  in  fine  spirits.  I  answered 
her  that  same  evening. 

Wednesday.  Charles  went  to  Milwaukee  with  a  load  of  hay.  I 
started  to  go  with  him,  but  it  was  so  cold  I  made  Hattie  and  Laura 
a  visit  instead.     Got  home  about  eight  that  night. 

Thursday.  Persis  came  about  noon,  and  soon  Mrs.  Webster 
came,  staid  till  night,  then  took  Ann  home  with  her.  Persis  went 
and  made  Aunt  Hannah  a  visit.  When  she  came  back  I  went  a 
part  of  the  way  home  with  her,  and  had  a  pleasant  walk  back. 

Friday.  This  has  been  an  extremely  cold  day,  but  in  spite  of  the 
cold  Susan,  myself,  and  Persis  went  and  made  Mrs.  Law  a  visit. 
WhUe  we  were  gone  Henry  Peck's  folks  came  to  see  us.  We  got 
home  about  dark.  Got  C.  and  J.  their  supper,  then  I  began  to  read 
in  "Prairie  Bird,"  in  which  I  was  interrupted  by  Robert,  who  had 
come  after  me  to  go  to  a  party  at  Mr.  Veeder's.  We  had  a  fine 
time,  of  course,  dancing  and  playing.  Got  home  about  daylight, 
and  went  to  bed  and  slept  till  ten  o'clock,  got  up  and  swept  and 
mopped,  then  combed  my  hair  and  changed  my  dress.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ives  are  below,  so  I  must  go,  too.  After  tea  I  went  up  to  the 
schoolhouse  with  C,  who  went  to  draw  a  load  of  wood.  After  com- 
ing home,  I  finished  reading  "Prairie  Bird." 

Sundaj^  morning.  This  is  a  bright,  beautiful  morning.  The 
sun  shines  so  brightly  that  destruction  seems  inevitable  to  the  pure 
and  inoffensive  snow.  Before  night  the  weather  may  change,  and 
a  storm  ensue,  and  good  sleighing  will  of  course  be  the  consequence. 
I  wanted  to  go  and  see  Persis  this  afternoon,  but  Charles  wanted  to 
see  Ann  so  badly  that  he  fixed  up  and  started  on  short  notice.  I 
have  been  looking  for  Sallie  some  this  morning,  but  of  course  she 
won't  come  if  I  want  to  see  her.  I  have  been  melting  snow  to  wash 
with  tomorrow,  and  I  must  go  and  get  more. 


154  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   BEPUBLIC 

11 

A  Social  Season 

Monday  evening.  I  have  left  them  downstairs,  and  come  for 
the  purpose  of  spending  a  few  minutes  in  writing.  I  am  very  tired, 
as  is  usual  after  washing.  This  has  been  a  lovely  day — appeared 
very  much  like  spring;  in  fact,  it  is  almost  spring.  We  will  not  be 
likely  to  get  much  more  cold  weather.  Charles  was  getting  wood 
today,  and  by  accident  cut  one  of  the  horses  in  the  liind  foot.  It 
bled  very  much,  but  he  succeeded  at  last  in  stopping  it.  Last  even- 
ing after  Charels  and  Ann  came,  John  and  I  went  to  see  Persis. 
We  found  her  well.  She  brought  us  some  nuts,  which  we  cracked 
and  ate.  While  we  were  there  Mr.  Van  Deren  called.  He  had  been 
to  see  Mrs.  Kirkendall,  and  got  the — (here  the  outline  of  a  mitten) 
— ^too,  I  should  judge  by  his  looks.  He  looked  very  lemoncholy. 
Poor  fellow!  I  hope  he  may  succeed  in  getting  someone  to  accom- 
pany him  back  to  Eden.  If  he  does  not  I  am  sure  it  will  not  be 
any  fault  of  his.  Next  Wednesday  night  the  ball  is  to  come  off  at 
Martin's.  I  presume  there  are  a  great  many  anticipating  good 
times.  They  will  not  be  disappointed  for  Martin  always  gets  up 
good  dances.  Another  tiling — he  has  quite  a  large  hall,  which  is 
very  nice. 

Tuesday  evening.  This  afternoon  I  ironed.  About  two 
o'clock,  Jary  and  Persis,  Robert  and  Uncle  Frank  from  Hartland 
came.  Monday  my  old  man  started  for  Eden.  Oh  dear!  I  feel 
very  lonely  now. 

Wednesday.  This  has  the  appearance  of  being  a  very  pleasant 
day — no  cloud  to  be  seen,  and  when  the  sun  appears  with  his  broad 
rays  it  will  be  quite  warm  and  springlike. 

Thursday  evening.  The  dance  came  off  as  anticipated.  There 
were  a  great  many  present.  We  had  a  good  supper,  good  dance, 
etc.  When  we  got  home  it  was  seven  o'clock.  Ann  and  I  went  to 
bed  and  slept  till  twelve,  then  got  up  and  bathed  and  combed  our 
hair.     George  Green  came  and  staid  till  after  tea. 

Friday.  Ann  and  I  went  up  to  Mr.  Green's,  and  while  we  were 
there  Mrs.  Hawkins  and  Post  came. 

Saturday.  Today  Jolm  has  gone  to  Hartland.  Mr.  Peck's  folks 
came  and  spent  the  afternoon  with  us. 

Monday.  After  washing  we  sat  down  to  our  sewing,  in  which 
we  were  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  friend  Sallie.  She  had  come 
after  me,  and  go  I  must.  While  she  was  still  teasing,  Robert  came 
and  gave  us  an  invite  to  a  party  he  was  going  to  have  the  following 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  155 

night,  so  of  course  I  could  not  possibly  go  to  Clark's.  After  Sallie 
had  gone  John  and  mj^self  went  down  to  see  Persis.  We  had  a 
very  pleasant  time. 

Tuesday.  Charles  and  Susan  went  to  IVIilwaukee,  and  did  not 
get  back  till  seven.  We  got  supper  for  him,  and  then  dressed  for 
the  party.  Charles  fussed  around  so  we  did  not  get  started  tUl 
almost  nine.  Pretty  time  of  night  to  go  to  a  party.  The  roads 
were  quite  bad,  and  we  ran  smash  up  against  a  stump  and  broke 
the  wagon,  so,  take  things  all  rornid,  we  didn't  get  to  the  party  till 
nearly  ten.  But  after  we  did  get  there  we  had  a  good  old  time.  Dan 
Warner  played  for  us.  The  young  people  from  Jenniags's  were  all 
there;  they  invited  us  to  go  and  see  them  the  following  Friday  night, 
which  we  agreed  to  do. 

Friday.  About  five  o'clock  we  started  for  Jennings's.  \M]at 
roads  we  did  have!  Mud,  mud,  mud!  We  got  through  it  slowly, 
and  at  last  reached  the  edge  of  Howard's  prairie,  when  we  met 
Robert  coming  back.  He  said  the  water  was  so  high  across  the 
road  he  was  afraid  to  go  on.  We  had  quite  a  confab  over  it,  in 
which  the  worthies  that  were  present  gave  their  different  opinions. 
Some  were  for  going  back  home,  and  others  for  going  ahead.  Charles 
was  for  the  latter,  so  we  started  with  the  determination  of  going 
through  the  water  at  any  rate.  When  we  arrived  at  the  airjul  place, 
we  found  the  water  up  to  the  hubs  of  our  wagon,  but  got  along  with- 
out any  trouble,  and  in  the  course  of  fifteen  mmutes  were  safely 
seated  in  the  home  of  Dr.  Jennings.  They  seemed  glad  to  see  us; 
had  given  up  hopes  of  our  coming  that  night.  We  sat  and  got  warm, 
and  then  commenced  the  doings  of  the  evening,  or  rather  night. 
The  first  thing  was  dancing,  and  then  were  passed  aromid  refresh- 
ments. I  thuik  the  next  operation  was  rolling  the  platter;  then  a 
game  of  euchre;  then  followed  another  dance,  and  some  more  kiss- 
ing plays  came  next  in  order,  in  which  there  was  a  great  'participa- 
tion. I  can  safely  say  I  kissed  the  boys  all  I  wished  to.  I  don't 
remember  what  came  next,  but  there  is  one  thing  I  do  remember,  it 
was  daylight  when  we  kissed  and  parted;  and  another  thing — it 
was  nine  when  we  got  home.  We  all  enjoyed  ourselves  very  much, 
which  I  am  sure  no  one  could  fail  to  do  when  in  the  company  of 
such  agreeable,  polite,  and  friendly  people  as  are  the  Jenningses. 
I  think  very  much  of  the  young  gents — Wallace  and  Isaac. 

Saturday  evening,  March  4th.  Surely  it  is  now  March.  How 
swiftly  time  flies!  It  hardly  seems  half  the  length  of  a  year  since 
last  March,  when  I  was  engaged  with  young  ones  in  school  district 
no.  6.     Yet  it  is  even  so — another  year  has  passed  into  eternity.     I 


156  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

hardly  know  whether  to  call  this  a  pleasant  evening  or  not.  The 
wind  blows  rather  cold,  but  still  it  looks  rather  pleasant  to  see  the  last 
red  rays  of  Old  Sol  as  they  are  taking  leave  of  us  for  another  night. 
Wm.  Wise  came  to  see  us  this  forenoon,  and  is  coming  to  spend  the 
night  with  us.  He  went  dowTi  to  see  Persis  this  afternoon.  The 
sun  has  entirely  disappeared  in  the  west,  which  renders  it  rather 
dark  in  my  room — and  another  thing,  my  eyes  feel  as  though  some 
one  had  been  putting  sand  in  them.  I  have  slept  but  little  today, 
after  last  night's  spree.  Tomorrow  is  Sunday,  and  what  shall  I  do 
to  busy  myself  with?  Oh,  I  suppose  it  will  be,  arise  very  late,  make 
the  beds,  help  wash  dishes,  comb  my  hair,  read  some,  and  maybe 
write  a  letter;  then  go  down  stairs,  help  get  supper,  wash  the  dishes, 
talk  a  while,  read  a  while,  and  go  to  bed^and  sleep  awhile. 

Sunday  evening,  4  o'clock.  As  I  expected  last  night,  I  arose  late 
this  morning,  and  after  doing  up  the  work  read  newspapers  till  after 
dinner.  William  has  just  left  for  Oak  Creek,  where  he  is  teaching. 
This  morning  it  was  so  very  pleasant  one  would  have  supposed  it 
could  not  so  soon  become  cloudy,  but  now  it  looks  very  much  like 
rain.  Changeable  weather  we  have  in  Wisconsin,  When  Charles 
was  in  Milwaukee  he  heard  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Vallier.  I  did 
not  think  it  was  for  the  last  time  that  I  saw  her  last  spring.  It  is 
even  so;  she  has  gone,  and  left  four  children  to  mourn  her  loss. 
That  she  may  enjoy  pure  happiness  in  a  future  state  is  the  wish 
of  her  friend. 

Sunday  evening,  8  o'clock,  March  5th.  John  B,  Nicholson  and 
myself  have  been  upstairs  for  the  past  hour  talking  over  old  times, 
and  have  been  wondering  where  we  should  be  one  year  from  this 
day.  We  have  agreed  to  write  to  each  other  wherever  we  may  be 
just  a  year  from  today,  I  presume  he  will  forget  it,  however,  as 
he  is  a  very  forgetful  gent,  and  seldom  keeps  any  promises  he 
happens  to  make. 

Monday,  6th.  We  washed  as  usual — had  company  also.  Persis 
and  Harriet  Sexton  came  up  with  Jary  when  he  went  to  mill. 

Tuesday  evening.  It  has  been  growing  cold  all  day,  and  now  the 
wind  is  blowing  hard  from  the  northeast. 

Thursday  eve.  I  have  just  come  from  Uncle  Asa's.  It  is  some 
muddy,  I  reckon.  We  have  been  making  soap  today.  How  much 
it  looks  like  rain  tonight!  It  has  been  cloudy  all  day.  How  happy 
I  should  be  to  see  our  friends  the  Jenningses  this  evening!  1  have 
not  seen  so  pleasant  a  family  in  a  long  time.  If  it  is  so  I  can,  I  will 
go  and  spend  a  few  dajs  with  them  this  spring  or  summer. 

Friday  morning.     Ann  and  mj-self  went  down  to  see  Persis.     We 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  157 

had  only  just  taken  our  things  off  when  Wallace  came.     I  was  very 
happy  to  see   him.     He  staid  till  four  o'clock,  promising  to  come 

again  next  .     William  Sexton  came  from  the  north  while  we 

were  there — brought  me  a  philipena  from  Mr.  Van  Deren. 

Saturday  I  went  up  to  Mr.  Morous's,  and  Sunday  went  to  meet- 
ing. It  really  seemed  like  old  times  to  get  up  and  comb  my  hair 
and  start  for  that  schoolhouse  where  I  have  spent  many  an  hour. 
After  coming  home  Sunday  evening  John  and  I  took  a  walk  and 
talked  of  bygone  days. 

12 

The  Spring  of  1854 

Monday  evening.  This  morning  I  put  on  a  quUt,  and  have  just 
finished  it.  We  boiled  some  sap  today,  and  made  some  warm  sugar, 
which  we  all  enjoyed  very  much.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Law  have  been 
here  today  to  make  us  a  visit.  The  rain  may  now  be  heard  patter- 
ing against  my  window  pane.  How  softly  it  falls,  and  stands  in 
large  glistening  drops  upon  every  bush  and  blade  of  grass,  as  if  con- 
scious of  the  need  of  its  refreshing  warmth  to  bring  back  to  life  each 
inanimate  shrub! 

Wednesday  evening.  Today  I  received  a  letter  from  Cousin 
Louisa,  also  one  from  Miss  Colburn.  I  have  just  written  five  pages 
to  L.  I  guess  she  will  be  interested  while  perusing  them.  Last  Sat- 
urday James  Bovial  left  his  eartlily  home  to  seek  one  above.  The 
disease  was  one  that  originated  from  that  fell  destroyer,  intemper- 
ance. How  could  one  so  young  and  intelligent  be  made  the  slave 
of  intoxicating  drink!  For  the  past  two  years  he  was  frequently 
seen  putting  the  fatal  cup  to  his  lips,  and  draining  the  poison  from 
it.  Now,  alas!  he  has  gone  to  answer  for  all  misdeeds  committed 
here  below.  This  ought  to  be  a  fearful  warning  for  those  that  are 
in  the  habit  of  indulging  in  the  glass  of  whiskey,  brandy,  or  any 
other  spirituous  liquor.  Those  that  attended  his  funeral  said  his 
father  and  micle  were  both  under  the  influence  of  strong  drink. 
What  a  sight,  to  see  a  father  staggering  over  the  grave  of  his  child ! 
How  seared  and  hardened  must  have  become  that  heart  which  once 
yearned  toward  that  son  with  a  father's  love!  Yet  such  is  thy  influ- 
ence, thou  demon  rum! 

Friday  noon.  Yesterday  I  went  down  to  see  Persis;  found  her 
quite  well.  In  the  afternoon  we  went  over  to  Welch's.  I  came 
home  about  dark.  I  was  very  tired.  Today  C.  went  to  Milwaukee. 
Ann  and  I  went  down  to  see  Mrs.  Smith. 


158  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Saturday  we  went  to  the  city  to  see  Uncle  Tom  played.  It  was 
grand. 

Sunday  we  went  down  to  Jerry's — Wallace  came  to  see  me.  Mon- 
day eve  I  went  to  the  Ives  schoolhouse  to  meeting.  E.  Guile  ac- 
companied me  home. 

Tuesday,  March  28,  1853  [4].  I  have  just  returned  from  Uncle 
Asa's,  and  read  a  letter  from  friend  Sarah.  This  morning  John 
went  home.  His  school  closed  Saturday,  and  Simday  we  went  to 
Dr.  Jennings's  and  had  a  very  pleasant  time.  Got  home  about  noon 
Monday.  Mrs.  Thomas  Taylor  was  buried  today.  One  by  one 
the  creatures  of  earth  are  passing  away. 

For  nearly  three  years,  the  journal  is  silent.  On 
October  28,  1854,  its  writer  was  married  to  Mr.  Nathan 
Cobb,  whose  name  appears  often  in  1852  and  1853. 
Death  separated  them  after  less  than  two  years,  and 
before  the  birth  of  Euclid  Nathan  Cobb. 

13 

A  Marriage,  and  a  Death 

December  25th,  1856.  Another  Christmas  morning  has  dawned 
upon  us,  and  "merry"  will  it  be  for  some,  but  not  for  me.  I  cannot 
forget  the  dear  one  that  made  merry  the  past  Cliristmas,  and  who 
is  now  gone,  never,  never  to  return.  Why  was  it  so.^  How  could 
it  be?  One  so  young!  What  pleasure  is  there  in  this  world.'* 
One  moment  happiness  may  smile  upon  us,  and  the  next,  Oh,  how 
dark  and  shadowed  will  be  our  path;  not  one  bright  spot  in  the 
future ! 

Thursday,  January  1st,  1857.  Another  year  is  with  those  that 
were.  One  year  ago  I  had  a  pleasant  home  and  a  dear  compan'.on; 
but  he  has  gone,  and  Oh,  how  dreary  does  seem  the  future!  Would 
that  I  were  with  him!  I  am  weary,  weary  of  living  alone  in  this 
cold,  selfish  world.* 

I  know  that  I  shall  die;  and  Oh,  beloved, 
Chide  me  not  if  o'er  thy  heart  I  send 
The  echoes  of  that  voice  which  I  have  long 
III  silence  heard. 

*The  verses  that  follow  are  found  in  another  part  of  this  journal.  Nothing  is  said  of 
their  authorship,  or  of  the  circumstances  of  their  transcription. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  159 

I  would  have  been  the  sunshine  o'er  thy  path, 
But  such  was  not  my  lot.     The  light  must  fade, 
The  tones  thou  lovest  linger  not.     I  die 
Ere  the  young  freshness  of  our  love  hath  flown ; 
I  die,  and  thou  wilt  he  on  earth  alone! 

There  is  strange  music  in  the  air,  and  tones 
Upon  the  twilight  breeze,  and  voices  heard 
In  midnight  dreams,  for  those  who  early  die; 
I  would  that  we  had  earlier  met, 
Dear  friend,  that  all  the  sunshine  of  my  first 
Young  dreams  were  poured  on  thee,  for  now  my  love 
Hath  caught  that  settled  sadness  wliich  deep  love 
On  earth  must  ever  wear. 

Thou  wUt  remember  me?     I  know  thou  wilt; 
Thou  wilt  sit  here,  perchance  where  we  recline. 
Beneath  the  shade  of  vines  which  I  have  reared, 
And  the  sweet  flower-scent  will  go  floating  by. 
Blent  with  the  mournful  memories  of  the  past. 
Yet  do  not  weep,  but  think  of  me  as  one 
Whose  heart  was  like  the  restless,  moaning  wave, 
Which  frets  itself  to  peace — whose  love  was  all 
Too  deep  for  bliss  on  earth,  and  who  above 
Will  watch  in  anxious  ministry  thy  step. 

Lay  me  to  rest  in  that  lone,  lovely  spot 
Which  I  have  loved,  and  o'er  my  grave  plant  flowers; 
Let  not  the  funereal  willow  wave  above; 
I  would  remmd  thee,  by  all  happy  things, 
Of  him  thou  loved  and  lovest;  and  sometime  come 
To  that  sweet  spot  and  think  of  me. 

14 

The  Year  1857 

The  life  of  the  months  following  is  filled  with  sober 
and  matronly  duties  and  diversions.  The  writer  of 
the  journal  washes,  irons,  dresses  her  brother's  children, 
mops,  bakes  "pieplant  pies,  a  cream  pie,  and  rice 
pudding,"  has  "pudding  and  milk  for  dinner"  after 


160  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

a  hard  forenoon's  work,  and  "biscuit  toast"  for  supper, 
or  has  "codfish  and  rice  for  dinner,  and  bread  and 
butter  and  apple  sauce  for  supper,"  or  dines  out  on  the 
way  home  from  the  city  on  "green  peas  and  a  first 
rate  apple  pie."  She  works  in  the  yard,  cleans  the 
kitchen,  sews  carpet  rags,  puts  carpets  down,  knits, 
"combs  her  hair,"  "helps  Charles  clean  up  his  wheat," 
or  rakes  hay  upon  occasion,  with  the  aid  of  friendly 
passers-by,  who  make  the  work  over  into  mere  socia- 
bility. She  tells  of  electioneering  by  Charles,  and  of 
his  "settling  up  town  business"  in  his  capacity  of 
chairman.  On  March  19  she  gets  her  "likeness" 
taken  in  the  city.  She  loses  her  California  pin,  which 
she  values  very  much,  not  for  itself,  but  "  only  on  the 
giver's  account." 

•In  April  she  is  at  a  neighbor's,  and  is  "treated  to 
some  lager  beer, "  evidently  a  novelty.  On  the  fifteenth 
of  the  same  month,  she  hears  "the  report  of  cannon  as 
we  were  coming,  and  learned  from  Charles  that  it 
was  for  the  first  train  passing  over  the  Milwaukee 
and  Mississippi  Railway. "  She  goes  to  sewing  society, 
reads  "Dred,"  and  learns  to  play  two  or  three  tunes 
on  the  melodeon.  She  reads  the  "Life  of  Josephine," 
and  "Retribution,"  and  " The  Wanderer, "  and  "Hid- 
den Path,"    and  Godey's  Lady  Book,  and  the  Ledger. 

She  doesn't  like  "The  Wanderer."  "It  isn't  very 
interesting  to  me,"  she  says,  "as  its  characters  have 
all   the   trouble   imaginable,   and   no  sunshine." 

She  sees  the  comet.  "It  is  said  the  approaching 
comet  has  a  great  efi^ect  upon  the  weather.  Some  as- 
tronomers say  it  is  going  to  come  into  collision  with 
the  earth  the  13th  of  June.  Maybe  it  will."  But  it 
didn't:  "it  passed  on  its  way,  and  left  the  world  and 
us  to  pursue  ours."  She  wasn't  much  frightened  by 
the    astronomers;  four  days  before   the   predicted  ca- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  161 

lamity   she   and  Ann  "rigged  up   some   hoops"   after 
they  finished  washing. 

On  September  first  "Charles  has  been  to  the  city, 
got  home  about  ten.  Sumner  (his  Kttle  boy)  went  up 
to  the  bee-hives  to  make  playfellows  of  the  bees,  and 
they  took  offence  and  stung  him  all  over  his  head  and 
face;  also  some  on  his  hands  and  feet.  Ann  went  to 
get  them,  when  they  pitched  at  her.  She  feels  'most 
sick  tonight."  The  next  day  "Ann  is  too  unwell  to  do 
anything  this  forenoon,"  so  the  keeper  of  the  journal 
does  her  work  for  her. 


15 
Hiram  Showerman 

This  is  the  last  day  recorded  in  the  journal.  On 
Wednesday,  September  2nd,  1857,  the  sober,  old- 
fashioned  writing  ceases. 

On  August  19,  1857,  thirteen  days  before  the  last 
date  which  appears  in  it,  the  writer  records  that  when 
she  got  home  it  was  nine,  and  that  Mr.  Tew  was  there. 
Nine  days  afterward,  on  the  28th,  "Mr.  Tew  came  last 
evening";  and  on  the  29th  he  came  again. 

Mr.  Tew  was  an  old  friend  of  Hiram  Showerman,  who 
was  then  station  agent  for  the  Milwaukee  and  Missis- 
sippi Railway  at  Brookfield,  sixteen  miles  north  of 
Muskego.  It  was  through  Mr.  Tew,  at  some  time  during 
the  following  twelvemonth,  that  Mr.  Showerman  and 
Ellen  Parker  Cobb  first  met.  They  were  married  on 
March  13,  1859,  and  resided  in  Brookfield,  where  the 
former  died  on  July  26,  1884.  Ellen  Parker  Shower- 
man died  in  Madison,  Wisconsin,  iVugust  26,  1910. 
Both  are  at  rest  in  Prairie  Home  cemetery  at  Wauk- 
esha, Wisconsin. 
11 


162  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Our  Fair  Wisconsin 

There's  nothing  like  Wisconsin, 

So  fair  on  every  side, 
Her  woods  and  white-oak  openings, 

Her  prairies  spreading  wide, 
Her  island  groves,  her  shining  rills. 
The  blossoms  on  her  sunny  hills — 
Ah,  there's  nothing  like  Wisconsin, 
Our  wild  Wisconsin  home ! 

There's  nothing  like  Wisconsin 

In  winter  or  in  spring. 
When  the  bright  green  decks  the  poplar  trees, 

And  all  the  glad  birds  sing, 
Or  when  dim  suns  haste  through  the  skies, 
And  snow  upon  the  prairie  lies — 
Ah,  there's  nothing  like  Wisconsin, 
Our  wild  Wisconsin  home! 

You'll  not  find  brighter  summers 

In  any  southern  land, 
When  the  Indian  com  is  rustling 

In  the  prairie  breezes  bland: 
When  berries  glisten  in  each  glade. 
Or  ripen  in  the  forest  shade — 
Ah,  there's  nothing  like  Wisconsin, 
Our  wild  Wisconsin  home! 

There's  nothing  like  Wisconsm 

In  the  Indian  summer  days. 
When  the  distant  hills  are  faintly  seen 

Through  blue  and  smoky  haze. 
When  the  hunters  through  the  forest  roam. 
And  wUd  birds  seek  a  southern  home — 
Ah,  there's  nothing  like  Wisconsin, 
Our  wUd  Wisconsin  home!  * 

♦This  poem,  of  unknown  authorship,  was  written  in  the  same  book  that  contained 
the  ioumal. 


PART  THREE 

THE  REPORT  OF  THE  INDIAN   STREAM 
COMMISSIONERS 

1836 

[From  an  original  print  in  possession  of  the  New 
Hampshire  Historical  Society.] 


PLAN  OF 
THE  SOURCES  OF 


Reierencea  'A"  N£  Corner  of  the  suae  made  by  the 
conmisswrurs  m  JlSS  ^  .. 

from.  A  to  B  part  of  Utu.  run  by  sau-d  commissioners.    ^         4'i'''<i(«V/' 


BwC  line  run.  due  tyest. 


i 


^     5:tS^ 


TTiS* 


11 


^ 


<si^' 


iOt^l 


Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Eepresenta- 
iives  in  General  Court  convened,  that  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire  should  continue  the  possession  of  the 
Indian  Stream  Territory,  and  maintain  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  state  over  the  same,  until  the  question  of 
boundaries  now  in  dispute  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain  affecting  the  limits  of  said  territory 
shall  be  finally  settled,  and  His  Excellency  the  Governor 
be  requested  to  render  all  necessary  aid  to  the  executive 
officers  of  the  county  of  Coos  in  causing  the  laws  of  said 
state  to  be  duly  executed  within  the  limits  of  said 
territory. 

Resolved  that  the  Executive  be  authorized  to  appoint 
commissioners  to  repair  to  Indian  Stream,  and  collect 
and  arrange  such  testimony  as  may  be  obtained  to 
rebut  and  explain  the  charges  and  testimony  obtained 
and  preferred  against  the  authorities  and  citizens  of 
this  state  by  Lord  Gosford,  Governor  of  the  province 
of  Lower  Canada. 

Resolved  that  the  commissioners  so  appointed  be 
authorized  and  directed  to  arrange  and  publish,  for  the 
use  of  the  legislature,  one  thousand  copies  of  such 
portions  of  the  documents  and  correspondence  relating 
to  our  Indian  Stream  difficulties  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

Approved  June  18,  1836. 


REPORT 

To  His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  New- 
Hampshire. 

The  undersigned,  commissioners  appointed  under 
a  resolution  of  the  legislature  of  New  Hampshire, 
approved  June  18,  1836,  "to  repair  to  Indian  Stream 
and  collect  and  arrange  such  testimony  as  may  be 
obtained  to  rebut  and  explain  the  charges  and  testimony 
obtained  and  preferred  against  the  authorities  and 
citizens  of  this  state  by  Lord  Gosford,  Governor  of  the 
province  of  Lower  Canada,"  have  attended  to  that 
duty,  and  now  make  the  following  report : 

The  charges  made  by  Lord  Gosford  are  the  three 
following,  viz.: 

1.  "The  first  and  most  serious  is  the  irruption  within 
the  limits  of  this  province  (Lower  Canada)  of  armed 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  under  the  command  of, 
or  countenanced  by  an  ofiicer  holding  a  commission  in 
their  militia,  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  attacking  and 
forcibly  carrying  out  of  the  province  several  of  H.  M.'s 
subjects." 

2.  "The  continued  attempts  of  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  notwithstanding  the  repeated  remon- 
strances of  H.  M.'s  gov't,  to  exercise  jurisdiction  and 
to  enforce  its  laws  within  a  territory,  which,  until  it 
shall  be  formally  adjudged  to  be  part  of  the  U.  S^.  under 
the  treaty  of  1783,  must  be  considered  as  still  un- 
detached  from  the  original  possession  of  Great  Britain, 
and  its  inhabitants  consequently  within  the  protection 
of  her  government." 

3.  "The  military  occupation,  by  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  of  the  territory  in  question." 

167 


168  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

The  commissioners,  in  order  to  present  to  Your 
Excellency  and  to  the  honorable  legislature  of  the 
state  a  plain  and  intelligible  account  of  the  con- 
troversy relating  to  the  Indian  Stream  Territory,  have 
given  to  the  subject  a  more  extended  examination  than 
was  necessary  simply  to  rebut  and  explain  the  charges 
of  Lord  Gosford.  The  following  statement  of  facts,  it 
is  believed,  will  clearly  and  unequivocally  justify  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire  in  maintaining  jurisdiction 
over  this  territory,  and  show  that  all  the  acts  of  violence 
there  committed  are  to  be  entirely  attributed  to  the 
attempt  of  certain  individuals  in  Lower  Canada  to 
extend  the  authority  of  that  province  over  the  territory 
in  question,  since  the  pretended  award  of  the  King  of 
the  Netherlands,  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  having 
exercised  quiet,  peaceable,  and  exclusive  jurisdiction 
over  the  same  from  the  peace  of  1783  to  a  period  sub- 
sequent to  said  pretended  award.  In  the  year  1789  a 
committee  was  appointed  by  the  legislature  of  this 
state  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  boundary 
lines  between  the  state  of  Maine,  then  Massachusetts, 
the  province  of  Lower  Canada,  and  this  state.  This 
committee  attended  to  the  duties  assigned  them,  and 
established  and  marked  by  suitable  monuments,  many 
of  which  are  now  remaining,  a  boundary  line  of  the 
state,  including  all  the  territory  now  in  dispute,  and 
making  the  head  of  Hall's  river  our  northwestern 
boundary  monument.  That  the  committee  were  right 
in  their  construction  of  that  part  of  the  treaty  of  1783 
relative  to  this  subject  is  manifest  from  the  following 
reasons : 

1.  This  is  the  only  head  of  Connecticut  river  that 
intersects  with  the  highlands  dividing  the  waters  which 
fall  into  the  Atlantic  from  those  which  fall  into  the  St. 
Lawrence. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  169 

2.  This  is  manifestly  and  notoriously,  by  far,  the 
most  northwestermost  head  of  Connecticut  river,  that 
claimed  by  the  British  government  being  manifestly 
the  most  northeastern  head  of  Connecticut  river. 

3.  The  Magalloway  river,  a  branch  of  the  Andros- 
coggin, takes  its  rise  many  miles  north  and  west,  not 
only  of  that  branch  of  the  Connecticut  claimed  by  the 
British  as  the  northwestermost  head,  but  also  north 
and  west  of  Indian  Stream,  so  that,  pursuing  the  high- 
lands indicated  by  the  treaty,  one  would  never  arrive 
at  the  head  waters  claimed  by  the  British  government 
as  those  indicated  by  the  treaty,  but  would  have  to 
leave  the  highlands  and  cross  the  Magalloway  river  to 
attain  the  object. 

The  above  fact  of  the  true  source  of  the  Magalloway 
river,  it  is  believed,  is  not  noticed  in  any  geography,  nor 
laid  down  upon  any  map  of  the  country.  This  may 
be  easily  accounted  for  on  account  of  its  remote  situa- 
tion and  unsettled  state.  It  is,  nevertheless,  an  impor- 
tant fact,  and  one  which  goes  far  not  only  to  show  that 
the  British  claim  to  jurisdiction  over  this  disputed 
territory  is  unfounded,  but  that  by  the  words  of  the 
treaty  New  Hampshire  is  entitled  to  a  much  larger 
territory  there  than  we  have  ever  yet  claimed.  Many 
of  the  first  settlements  of  this  territory  were  by  persons 
who  fled  there  from  the  neighboring  states  to  avoid  the 
payment  of  their  debts,  or  the  criminal  process  to  which 
their  crimes  had  rendered  them  amenable.  As  the 
population  increased,  the  character  of  the  inhabitants 
improved ;  and  although  at  times  some  of  them  claimed 
to  belong  to  Vermont,  and  at  other  times  to  Maine,  and 
at  other  times  to  be  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States,  but  not  of  any  particular  state,  and  at 
other  times  to  be  independent  either  of  the  U.  S.  govern- 
ment or  the  government  of  Great    Britain,   yet    the 


170  THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

officers  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  from  time  to 
time,  as  occasion  required,  executed  divers  processes 
issuing  from  the  courts  of  this  state  upon  the  inhabi- 
tants there,  and  although  sometimes  they  met  with 
such  resistance  as  was  to  be  expected  from  the  char- 
acter of  the  inhabitants,  yet  no  complaint  was  ever 
made  on  account  thereof  by  the  officers  of  the  province 
of  Canada,  or  of  any  foreign  government  whatever. 
Indeed,  the  oldest  inhabitants  in  the  territory  or  the 
towns  adjacent  have  no  recollection  of  ever  having 
heard  of  any  act  of  any  other  government  ever  exer- 
cised within  the  territory,  save  by  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire.  The  inhabitants  have  uniformly  resorted 
to  New  Hampshire  for  the  purpose  of  being  united  in 
marriage,  whenever  there  was  such  a  ceremony  to  be 
performed  among  them,  and  in  divers  other  ways, 
such  as  taking  advantage  of  our  bounty  laws  for  the 
destruction  of  certain  wild  animals,  manifested  under 
whose  protection  they  lived,  and  to  what  government 
they  supposed  they  owed  allegiance.  Affairs  were  in 
this  quiet  posture  at  this  place  at  the  time  of  the  pre- 
tended award  of  the  King  of  the  Netherlands;  and  at  a 
period  subsequent  to  that,  one  of  those  restless  indi- 
viduals, the  bane  of  every  well-ordered  society,  who 
are  never  easy  unless  busied  about  the  affairs  of  their 
neighbors,  claiming  to  be  a  magistrate  of  Lower  Canada, 
and  to  be  acting  by  the  direction  of  the  Governor  of 
that  province,  began  to  claim  the  territory  as  belonging 
to  the  province  of  Lower  Canada.  This  claim  was  now 
asserted  in  various  ways,  such  as  sending  pretended 
warrants  in  the  name  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  into 
the  territory.  He  also  sent  a  letter  directed  to  various 
individuals  there,  requesting  them  to  assemble  at  the 
school  house  in  one  place  on  Saturday,  and  another  on 
Sunday,  and  when  they  were  thus  assembled  he  met 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  171 

them  and  exhorted  them  to  open  resistance  to  the  laws 
of  the  state,  and  assured  them  of  the  protection  of  the 
government  of  Lower  Canada  in  so  doing. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  better  disposed  part  of  the 
community  there,  that  all  the  difficulties  which  have 
occurred  at  that  settlement  within  the  three  or  four 
years  last  past  are  to  be  attributed  to  the  mischievous 
interference  of  the  individual  alluded  to,  and  from  all 
the  investigation  which  we  were  able  to  make  we  were 
unanimously  of  the  same  opinion. 

If  it  be  the  fact  that  Hall's  Stream  be  the  north- 
westermost  head  of  Connecticut  river,  and  if  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire  has  exercised  jurisdiction  over  this 
disputed  territory  from  the  peace  of  1783  to  the  present 
time,  and  these  two  points  are  incontestibly  proved  by 
testimony  taken  by  the  commissioners,  and  accompany- 
ing this  report,  then  the  2d  and  3d  cause  of  complaint, 
as  set  forth  by  Lord  Gosford,  entirely  fail,  for  the 
military  occupation  spoken  of  by  him,  and  the  at- 
tempted jurisdiction  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire, 
are  justified  by  every  principle  of  the  law  of  nations,  as 
well  as  by  that  protection  which  every  government 
owes  to  its  citizens. 

We  now  proceed  to  state  all  the  facts  relating  to  the 
first  charge  of  His  Lordship,  and  we  have  thus  inverted 
their  order  because  it  seemed  to  us  the  most  natural 
course;  for  if  we  had  no  title  to  the  soil,  then  our  ju- 
risdiction was  usurped  and  wrongful,  our  military 
occupation  unjustifiable,  and  our  whole  defence  un- 
tenable. In  October,  1835,  William  M.  Smith,  a  deputy 
sheriff  of  Coos  county,  had  a  writ  put  into  his  hands 
for  service  against  one  John  H.  Tyler,  an  inhabitant  of 
the  disputed  territory.  Smith,  not  knowing  Tyler, 
and  also  apprehending  some  resistance,  procured  one 
Richard   I.   Blanchard   and   John   Milton   Harvey   to 


172  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

assist  him,  and  then  proceeded  to  Tyler's  house  for  the 
purpose  of  making  service  of  the  writ.  Not  having 
found  said  Tyler  at  his  house,  they  went  in  pursuit  of 
him,  agreeably  to  the  directions  which  they  had  re- 
ceived, and  soon  met  said  Tyler.  Smith  then  re- 
quested said  Tyler  to  show  him  property,  that  it 
might  be  attached  on  the  writ,  which  he  refusing  to  do, 
he  was  arrested  by  said  Smith,  who  was  proceeding 
with  said  Tyler  in  custody,  when  he  was  forcibly 
rescued  from  said  Smith's  possession  by  several  of  the 
inhabitants. 

Upon  this,  the  individual  before  referred  to  as  the 
occasion  of  all  the  difficulties  at  this  place  issued  a 
warrant  in  the  name  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain 
against  said  Smith,  Blanchard,  and  Harvey,  for  attempt- 
ing to  execute  process  there,  not  issued  by  authority 
of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  and  sent  it  into  the  settle- 
ment for  the  purpose  of  having  it  served  upon  the 
individuals  against  whom  it  had  issued.  This  was 
done  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  this  state 
had,  by  a  resolution  of  the  legislature,  determined  to 
maintain  its  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  until  the 
boundary  line  should  be  definitely  and  satisfactorily 
settled. 

By  virtue  of  this  pretended  warrant,  on  the  22d  day 
of  October,  A.  D.  1835,  said  Blanchard  was  taken 
from  his  own  dwelling  house  by  an  armed  body  of  men, 
with  the  express  and  avowed  purpose  of  carrying  him 
into  Canada  for  trial,  on  the  absurd  charge  of  having 
assisted  in  serving  a  writ  duly  issued  by  the  competent 
authority  of  the  county  of  Coos. 

The  news  of  this  outrage  was  immediately  spread 
through  the  adjacent  towns,  and  excited  very  great 
indignation  against  its  perpetrators.  The  inhabitants 
very  generally,  upon  being  notified  of  the  fact,  expressed 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  173 

a  determination  not  to  suffer  their  fellow  citizen  thus 
to  be  taken  from  his  home  and  carried  out  of  the  state 
without  an  attempt,  at  least,  on  their  part  to  rescue  him. 
In  pursuance  of  this  determination  several  citizens  of 
the  neighborhood  went  over  the  line  dividing  this 
state  from  the  province  of  Lower  Canada,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  intercepting  those  who  had  said  Blanchard  in 
custody,  and  effecting  his  release.  This  was  effected 
without  any  violence,  and,  so  far  from  being  done 
under  the  direction  of  any  military  officer,  it  was  an 
entirely  spontaneous  assemblage  of  citizens  aroused  by 
what  they  deemed  a  gross  outrage  upon  the  rights  of 
one  of  their  fellow  citizens,  subject  to  the  direction  of 
no  military  or  civil  officer  of  the  state.  How  far  this 
proceeding  is  to  be  palliated  or  justified,  the  wisdom 
of  the  legislature  may  best  determine.  The  facts  are 
here  stated.  After  said  Blanchard  had  been  thus 
rescued,  the  individuals  who  had  turned  out  for  that 
purpose  assembled  at  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy,  in 
Canaan,  Vermont.  Among  the  number  was  William 
M.  Smith,  the  deputy  sheriff  before  spoken  of,  who  had 
previously  arrested  one  John  H.  Tyler,  and  who  had 
been  rescued  from  him  in  the  manner  before  stated. 
He  then  offered  a  reward  of  five  dollars  to  any  one  who 
would  deliver  said  Tyler  to  him.  A  notion  seemed  very 
generally  to  prevail  amongst  those  who  were  then 
present  that  said  Tyler,  having  once  been  legally  made 
a  prisoner,  by  the  arrest  of  said  Smith,  might  be  re- 
taken again  wherever  he  could  be  found.  This  John 
H.  Tyler  was  one  of  those  who  had  said  Blanchard  in 
custody  at  the  time  he  was  rescued  in  the  manner  before 
stated.  After  Smith,  the  deputy  sheriff,  had  offered 
this  reward  for  the  recapture  of  said  Tyler,  several  of 
the  individuals  who  had  left  their  homes  for  the  avowed 
and  express  purpose  of  rescuing  Blanchard  unadvisedly 


174  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

and  improperly  went  over  the  line  for  the  purpose  of 
retaking  Tyler,  they  having  at  that  time  the  impression 
that  they  were  justified  in  so  doing.  No  sooner  were 
these  individuals  over  the  line  than  they  were  set  upon 
in  a  furious,  boisterous,  and  outrageous  manner  by  the 
individual  before  referred  to  as  the  cause  of  all  the 
diflSculty  at  the  Indian  Stream  settlement,  and  the 
very  individual  who  had  issued  the  warrant  by  which 
Blanchard  had  been  dragged  from  his  home  as  before 
stated. 

This  individual  came  upon  them  while  they  were 
peaceably  and  quietly  demeaning  themselves,  having 
offered  or  threatened  violence  to  no  one,  and  ordered 
them  off  the  highway,  and  attempted  to  make  prisoners 
of  them,  and  called  upon  those  who  were  with  him  to 
assist.  The  New  Hampshire  citizens,  not  relishing  the 
idea  of  thus  being  made  prisoners,  resisted,  and,  being 
assaulted  with  great  violence  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Canada,  their  horses'  bridles  seized,  and  stones  thrown 
violently  at  them,  defended  themselves  with  such  arms 
as  they  had  with  them,  having  taken  them  at  the  time 
they  turned  out  for  the  rescue  of  Blanchard.  We  do  not 
undertake  to  state  with  accuracy  all  the  particulars  of 
the  skirmish  which  ensued  upon  this  assault,  but  we 
are  confident  in  the  assertion  that  the  first  violence 
offered  or  threatened  was  that  done  to  the  citizens  of 
New  Hampshire  by  citizens  of  Canada.  The  result 
was  that  the  individual  who  commenced  the  brawl  was 
violently  seized  and  brought  over  the  line  into  Vermont, 
and  there  detained  some  hours,  and  finally  set  at  large. 

As  to  the  assertion  that  the  late  Gov.  Badger  was 
connected  with  a  band  of  speculators  claiming  the 
territory  of  Indian  Stream  as  their  private  property, 
we  are  aware  of  no  rule  of  courtesy  or  etiquette  which 
requires  us  to  call  it  by  any  milder  name  than  falsehood. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  175 

The  commissioners,,  in  conclusion,  are  happy  in 
being  able  to  inform  Your  Excellency  and  the  legisla- 
ture that  the  inhabitants  of  this  section  of  our  state 
are  now  in  as  quiet  and  peaceable  condition,  as  free 
from  internal  commotion  or  foreign  interference,  as  any 
portion  of  the  state  whatever.  The  citizens  there, 
who  were  friendly  to  the  preservation  of  good  order  and 
the  wholesome  administration  of  the  laws,  and  who  had 
begun  to  apprehend  that  they  were  neglected,  have 
been  assured  that  the  protecting  energies  of  the  state 
are  extended  to  all  within  her  borders,  while  the  lawless 
and  the  vicious  have  been  made  to  feel  that  their  remote 
situation  affords  no  sanctuary  for  crime. 

We  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  the  people  are 
now  contented  and  happy  under  the  government  of  the 
state,  and  that  in  future  there  will  be  no  need  of  any 
farther  aid  from  the  militia  to  assist  the  civil  officers 
in  the  due  execution  of  their  respective  duties. 

The  commissioners  are  of  opinion  that  the  measures 
adopted  by  the  late  Governor  of  this  state,  Hon. 
William  Badger,  in  relation  to  this  subject,  were  wise 
and  judicious,  and  that  to  his  prompt  and  efficient  inter- 
ference to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  state  and  the 
dignity  of  the  laws,  is  to  be  attributed  the  present 
quiet  condition  of  the  inhabitants  there. 

Joseph  Low,  ^ 

Ralph  Metcalf,  \  Commissioners. 

John  P.  Hale,  J 
Nov.  23,  1836. 


APPENDIX 

Hon.  Isaac  Hill  to  Hon.  John  Forsyth 

Senate  Chamber,  Washington, 

Jan.  4,  1836. 
Hon.  John  Forsyth. 

Sir: — I  have  this  morning  received  from  the  Adjutant 
General  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  the  accompany- 
ing letter,  enclosing  other  letters  showing  the  present 
condition  of  the  settlement  of  Indian  Stream,  situated 
in  the  northerly  section  of  that  state,  on  the  confines 
of  Lower  Canada.  These  communications,  after  pe- 
rusal, I  wish  may  be  returned. 

It  is  manifest  from  these  letters,  as  well  as  from  other 
facts  transpiring,  that  the  difficulty  would  at  once  be 
settled,  if  the  malcontents  had  not  a  tolerable  presump- 
tion that  they  will  be  protected  in  their  acts  of  medi- 
tated violence  by  the  British  authorities  in  Lower 
Canada.  If  assurances  may  be  obtained  that  the 
aggressors,  who  are  principally  fugitives  from  the 
states,  shall  not  be  countenanced  by  the  British  authori- 
ties, the  necessity  for  continuing  an  armed  force  by  the 
state  will  have  been  superseded.  If  such  assurances  can- 
not be  obtained,  will  it  not  be  the  duty  of  the  national 
Government  at  once  to  protect  the  state  of  New- 
Hampshire  and  its  citizens  in  the  rightful  jurisdiction 
and  possession  which  never,  until  recently,  has  been 
denied  them.^     An  early  answer  is  requested. 

I  am,  respectfully,  sir, 

your  ob't  servant, 

Isaac  Hill. 

176 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  177 

Hon.  Isaac  Hill  to  Hon.  John  Forsyth 

Senate  Chamber,  Washington, 

Jan.   6,   1836. 
Hon.  John  Forsyth. 

Sir: — I  have  this  morning  received  additional  letters 
from  Indian  Stream,  in  Coos  county,  New  Hampshire, 
which  I  enclose,  and,  after  perusal,  wish  to  be  returned 
with  others  heretofore  sent. 

You  will  perceive  by  these  last  letters  that  the  course 
pursued  by  the  Canadian  government  is  calculated  to 
encourage  the  malcontents  in  that  region.  It  appears 
to  me  that  the  National  Executive  has  it  in  its  power 
to  put  a  stop  to  that  interference  of  the  foreign  govern- 
ment, which  is  certainly  new  in  regard  to  this  territory. 
The  Canadian  government  has  just  as  much  right  to 
direct  its  magistrates  to  take  depositions  at  Lancaster, 
the  shire  town,  as  at  Indian  Stream  in  the  same  county; 
and  if  it  would  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive  to  interpose 
its  power  to  prevent  an  invasion  in  one  case,  it  will  be 
in  the  other. 

I  am,  respectfully,  sir, 

your  obedient  servant, 

Isaac  Hill. 


Hon.  John  Forsyth  to  Hon.  Isaac  Hill 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  11th  Jan.  1836. 
Hon.  Isaac  Hill. 

Sir: — Your  letters  of  the  4th  and  6th  instant,  trans- 
mitting certain  papers  relative  to  the  present  condition 
of  the  settlement  at  Indian  Stream,  have  been  received. 
In  returning  these  enclosures,  in  compliance  with  your 
request,  and  tendering  my  acknowledgments  for  the 


12 


178  THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

opportunity  afforded  me  of  perusing  them,  I  have  to 
add,  in  answer  to  the  suggestions  contained  in  your 
communications,  that  no  necessity  is  beheved  to  exist, 
at  present,  for  the  interference  of  the  general  govern- 
ment, in  the  manner  proposed,  for  the  protection  of 
New  Hampshire  and  its  citizens  in  the  jurisdiction  and 
possession  of  the  Indian  Stream  Territory. 

I  am.  Sir,  respectfully 

Your  obedient  servant, 
John  Forsyth. 


Hon.  John  Forsyth  to  Gov.  Badger 

Department   of  State, 

Washington,  Feb.  1836. 
His  Excellency  William  Badger, 

Governor  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire. 

Sir: — I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  Your  Excellency 
herewith  the  copy  of  a  note  addressed  to  this  depart- 
ment on  the  18th  instant  by  Mr.  Bankhead,  His 
Britannic  Majesty's  Charge  d 'Affaires  at  Washington, 
enclosing  the  copy  of  a  let.ter  which  he  has  received  from 
the  Earl  of  Gosford,  His  Majesty's  Governor  General 
of  Canada,  with  a  variety  of  accompanying  documents 
relative  to  a  complaint  preferred  by  His  Excellency 
against  several  citizens  of  the  United  States  residing 
in  New  Hampshire,  for  an  alleged  outrage  committed 
on  the  persons  of  certain  subjects  of  His  Britannic 
Majesty,  and  for  a  violation  of  British  territory. 

I  am  directed  by  the  President,  in  communicating 
to  Your  Excellency  copies  of  the  papers  referred  to, 
to  express  his  confident  expectation  that  you  will  be 
enabled  to  furnish  to  this  department  such  facts  and 
explanations  regarding  this  matter  as  may  prove  en- 
tirely satisfactory  to  His  Britannic  Majesty's  govern- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  179 

ment,  and  remove  any  misapprehensions  that  may 
exist  in  relation  to  it  on  the  part  of  the  Canadian 
authorities. 

As  it  is  intended  that  no  reply  should  be  made  to  the 
substance  of  Mr.  Bankhead's  complaint  before  the  de- 
partment is  in  possession  of  Your  Excellency's  answer, 
I  beg  leave  to  invite  your  early  attention  to  the  subject. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  respectfully, 
Your  Excellency's  obedient  servant, 

John  Forsyth. 


Lord  Gosford  to  Mr.  Bankhead 

Castle  of  St.  Lewis, 
Quebec,   6th  Feb.    1836. 

Sir: — It  has  become  my  duty  to  communicate  to  you 
the  details  of  an  outrage  of  a  very  grave  character,  which 
has  recently  been  committed  within  the  undoubted 
Hmits  of  this  province  by  an  armed  body,  consisting 
principally  of  citizens  of  New  Hampshire,  on  two  of 
His  Majesty's  subjects — one  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
the  other  a  peace  officer,  while  in  the  execution  of  their 
official  duties.  And  I  have  to  request  that  you  will 
take  such  steps  as  you  may  judge  advisable  to  obtain 
immediate  redress  from  the  justice  of  the  central 
government  of  the  United  States  for  this  infraction 
of  the  law  of  nations,  accompanied  by  acts  endanger- 
ing the  lives  and  violating  the  liberties  of  His  M.'s 
Canadian  subjects. 

Before  entering  into  the  details  of  the  case,  it  is 
proper  to  inform  you  that  they  were  collected  under  a 
commission  which  I  appointed  for  the  purpose,  con- 
sisting of  three  gentlemen  who  were  expressly  made 
justices  of  the  peace   in   order  that  all  the  evidence. 


180  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

might  be  taken  (as  it  was)  under  the  sanction  of  an 
oath,  was  to  render  the  information  obtained  as  formal 
and  accurate  as  possible. 

From  the  copies  of  the  documents,  which  I  have  the 
honour  to  transmit,  and  especially  from  the  report  of 
the  commissioners  No.  1,  and  the  affidavit  No.  5,  of  Mr. 
Rea,  you  will  perceive  that  the  origin  of  the  present 
affair  may  be  traced  to  the  assumption  of  jurisdiction 
by  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  over  the  township  of 
Drayton,  or,  as  it  is  otherwise  called,  the  Indian  Stream 
Settlement,  which  has  more  than  once  formed  the 
subject  of  remonstrance  with  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  through  His  Majesty's  minister  at 
Washington.  You  will  further  perceive  that  on  the 
15th  October  last  Mr.  Rea,  who  is  a  justice  of  the  peace 
for  the  district  of  St.  Francis,  residing  in  the  township 
of  Hereford  in  this  province,  issued  his  warrant,  upon 
the  sworn  information  of  one  John  H.  Tyler,  an  inhabi- 
tant of  the  township  of  Drayton,  for  the  apprehension 
of  William  Smith,  John  Milton  Harvey  (American 
citizens)  and  Richard  I.  Blanchard,  of  Drayton,  for 
having  arrested  the  said  Tyler  under  the  authority  of 
the  sheriff  of  Coos,  New  Hampshire. 

Under  this  warrant  Blanchard,  only,  was  arrested  on 
the  22d  October  at  his  residence  in  Drayton;  and 
while  the  constables  were  conveying  him  to  Mr.  Rea's 
he  was  forcibly  rescued  in  the  highway  by  a  body  of 
armed  men,  citizens  of  New  Hampshire.  The  con- 
stables, and  others  who  had  assisted  in  the  arrest, 
immediately  proceeded  to  inform  the  magistrate  of 
the  rescue,  and  on  their  return  home,  when  about  fifty 
rods  from  his  house,  were  again  stopped  on  the  public 
highway  by  one  Miles  Hurlburt  of  Stewartstown, 
New  Hampshire,  and  Ephraim  Aldrich  of  Drayton, 
two  of  the  armed  body,  and  both  on  horseback.     On 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  181 

observing  this,  Mr.  Rea,  to  avoid  even  the  appearance 
of  force,  laid  aside  the  stick  which  his  lameness  in  gen- 
eral obliges  him  to  use,  and  proceeded  to  remonstrate 
against  this  unwarrantable  and  illegal  act,  when  Hurl- 
burt  presented  a  large  pistol  or  carabine,  and  threatened 
to  fire  upon  him  if  he  attempted  to  advance;  Mr.  Rea, 
after  frequently  exhorting  them,  without  success,  to 
retire,  and  receiving  in  return  only  threats  and  abusive 
language,  directed  Bernard  Young,  a  peace  officer  of 
the  township  of  Hereford,  to  arrest  Aldrich  who  was 
apparently  unarmed.  On  Young's  attempting  to 
execute  the  order,  Aldrich  drew  a  horseman's  sabre 
from  under  his  cloak,  and  struck  him  a  violent  blow  on 
the  neck.  At  the  same  instant  Hurlburt,  who  was 
about  five  yards  distant,  fired  his  carabine  or  pistol  at 
Mr.  Rea.  The  ball,  missing  this  gentleman,  took  effect 
on  Young,  and  wounded  him  in  a  very  dangerous 
manner. 

Immediately  afterwards  Aldrich  inflicted  a  deep 
wound  on  Mr.  Rea's  head,  and,  about  this  time,  others 
of  the  armed  party  coming  up,  Mr.  Rea  attempted  to 
make  his  escape,  but  was  overtaken,  nearly  murdered, 
and  eventually  carried  prisoner  into  Canaan  in  Ver- 
mont, where,  after  being  detained  some  hours,  he  was 
enabled,  through  the  interference  of  Herman  Nichols, 
a  magistrate  of  that  state,  to  return  to  his  own  house. 

The  scene  of  these  violent  proceedings  is  not  in  the 
disputed  territory,  but  clearly  within  the  limits  of  this 
province.  The  party  engaged  therein  consisted  of 
about  50  or  60  persons,  although  not  more  than  18  or 
20  appear  to  have  taken  an  active  part  in  the  attack 
upon  Mr.  Rea,  and  in  his  subsequent  abduction;  of 
this  number  3,  only,  were  inhabitants  of  Drayton,  the 
remainder  citizens  of  the  U.  S.,  of  whom  one  was 
a  captain  in  the  24th  Regiment  of  New  Hampshire 


182  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

militia  named  James  Mooney,  then  in  command  of  a 
detachment  of  50  men  quartered  in  the  township  of 
Drayton. 

On  a  perusal  of  the  accompanying  documents  you 
cannot  fail  to  observe  that  H.  M's  gov't  has  more  than 
one  distinct  cause  of  complaint  to  bring  under  the  notice 
of  the  American  gov't  arising  out  of  these  transactions. 
The  first  and  most  serious  is  the  irruption  within  the 
limits  of  this  province  of  armed  citizens  of  the  U.  S., 
under  the  command  of,  or  countenanced  by  an  officer 
holding  a  commission  in  their  militia,  for  the  avowed 
purpose  of  attacking  and  forcibly  carrying  out  of  the 
province  several  of  H.  M's  subjects.  Secondly,  the 
continued  attempts  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire, 
notwithstanding  the  repeated  remonstrances  of  H.  M's. 
gov't,  to  exercise  jurisdiction  and  to  enforce  its  laws 
within  a  territory  which,  until  it  shall  be  formally 
adjudged  to  be  part  of  the  U.  S.  under  the  treaty  of 
1783,  must  be  considered  as  still  undetached  from  the 
original  possession  of  Great  Britain,  and  its  inhabi- 
tants consequently  within  the  protection  of  her  gov't. 
And,  thirdly,  the  military  occupation,  by  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire,  of  the  territory  in  question,  a  pro- 
ceeding which  can  be  productive  only  of  embarrass- 
ment to  the  two  governments,  without  varying  in  any 
respect  the  rights  of  either. 

Having  thus  put  you  in  possession  of  the  principal  fea- 
tures of  this  transaction,  I  feel  it  unnecessary  to  offer 
any  suggestions  as  to  the  specific  redress  that  ought  to 
be  demanded  on  the  present  occasion.  And  I  the  more 
readily  abstain  from  this,  under  the  persuasion  that  it 
requires  nothing  but  a  knowledge  of  the  facts  to  induce 
the  gov't  of  the  U.  S.  to  adopt  measures  which  will  at 
once  prove  satisfactory  to  H.  M's  gov't,  and  prevent 
the  repetition  of  occurrences  tending  to  disturb  the 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  183 

harmony  and  good  understanding  which  now  exists, 
with  so  much  advantage  to  both  nations. 

I  have,    &c.,   &c. 
(Signed)  Gosford. 

Charles  Bankhead,  Esq.,  &c.,   &c., 


Report  of  Commissioners  Appointed   by  Lord  Gosford 

To  His  Excllency  the  Earl  of  Gosford,  Captain  Gen- 
eral and  Governor  in  Chief  in  and  over  the  prov- 
inces of  Upper  and  Lower  Canada,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

We,  the  undersigned,  commissioners  appointed  by 
Your  Excellency  to  enquire  into  and  investigate  certain 
offences  alleged  to  have  been  committed  by  Ephraim 
H.  Mahurin,  Thomas  B.  Blodgett,  and  others,  citizens 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  against  Alexander  Rea, 
Esq.,  and  other  subjects  of  His  Majesty  in  the  province 
of  Lower  Canada,  to  examine  witnesses  under  oath 
touching  the  said  complaints,  and  to  report  what  fel- 
onies, misdemeanors,  breaches  of  the  peace,  and  other 
offences,  if  any,  should  appear  to  have  been  committed 
by  the  said  persons  within  the  said  province  of  Lower 
Canada,  having  visited  the  townships  of  Hereford, 
Drayton,  and  Compton,  and  examined  divers  witnesses, 
have  the  honor  to  report:  that  it  appears  from  the 
depositions  taken  before  us,  and  herewith  transmitted 
to  Your  Excellency,  that  for  a  length  of  time  attempts 
have  been  occasionally  made,  without  success,  by  the 
authorities  of  New  Hampshire  to  exercise  jurisdiction 
over  the  Indian  Stream  Settlement  in  the  township  of 
Drayton;  and  that  during  the  last  12  months  a  disposi- 
tion to  reduce  that  settlement  by  force,  under  the  con- 
trol of  New  Hampshire,  has  been  more  fully  evinced  by 
numerous  acts  of  violence  and  oppression  committed 
on  the  inhabitants  by  persons  professing  to  act  under 


184  THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

authority  from  the  state  of  New  Hampshire.  It 
further  appears  that  serious  offences  have  been  recently 
committed  against  the  laws  of  this  province,  within  its 
undoubted  boundary,  by  armed  parties  from  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire,  in  the  first  place  by  the  forcible 
rescue  of  one  Richard  I.  Blanchard,  while  he  was  being 
conducted  to  Hereford  under  arrest  in  virtue  of  a  war- 
rant from  Alexander  Rea,  Esq.,  a  justice  of  the  peace 
for  the  district  of  St.  Francis,  at  a  spot  within  the 
limits  of  the  said  township  of  Hereford,  as  will  be  seen 
on  reference  to  the  accompanying  diagram  and  map,  on 
which  the  same  has  been  accurately  marked  by  Capt. 
Hayne  after  actual  survey;  and,  secondly,  by  a  violent 
attack  on  the  peaceable  and  unprotected  inhabitants 
of  Hereford  by  an  armed  body  acting  under  the  direc- 
tions of  an  officer  in  the  New  Hampshire  militia,  of  the 
name  of  James  Mooney,  in  which  Alex.  Rea,  Esq.,  and 
Bernard  Young,  inhabitants  of  Hereford,  were  severely 
wounded,  and  the  former  forcibly  conveyed  over  the 
boundary  into  the  state  of  Vermont,  where,  after  hav- 
ing been  subjected  to  much  abuse  and  ill  treatment, 
he  was  released  by  a  magistrate  of  that  state.  It 
appears  to  us  that  no  satisfactory  reason  can  be  adduced 
in  justification  of  these  outrages,  and  that  the  only 
excuse  offered  in  palliation  is  that  Alex.  Rea  exercised 
undue  authority  in  granting  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of 
said  Blanchard  and  one  Luther  Parker  of  Indian  Stream, 
although  at  the  time  he  was  acting  in  the  course  of  his 
duty  as  a  magistrate  in  consequence  of  an  assurance 
given  to  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  that  they 
should  be  protected  by  the  gov't  of  this  province.  It 
also  appears  to  us  that  no  fair  argument  can  be  ad- 
vanced in  favor  of  the  pretensions  of  the  state  of  New- 
Hampshire  to  the  Indian  Stream  Territory,  the  words 
of  the  treaty  of  1783  being  clear,  and  the  boundary 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  185 

defined  by  the  Connecticut  river  in  that  part,  but  it  is 
attempted  to  substitute  a  tributary  known  by  the  name 
of  Hall's  Stream  for  the  Connecticut  river,  although 
each  of  these  has  been  known  by  the  name  which  it  now 
bears  for  upwards  of  50  years.  It  moreover  appears 
that  Governor  Badger  of  New  Hampshire  is  connected 
with  a  company  of  land  speculators,  who  claim  the 
territory  of  Indian  Stream  as  their  private  property 
under  a  pretended  title  from  one  King  Philip,  an  Indian, 
which  might  possibly  induce  a  belief  that  he  is  actuated 
by  other  motives  than  state  policy  in  his  attempts  to 
annex  it  to  the  state  of  New  Hampshire.  It  appears, 
also,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  Settlement, 
situated  on  a  territory  in  dispute  between  both  coun- 
tries, and  over  which  jurisdiction  had  been  occasionally 
exercised  by  each,  framed  and  adopted  a  constitution 
for  themselves  for  their  better  government,  which  was 
to  become  null  and  void  on  the  j&nal  settlement  of  the 
boundary  question.  Amongst  others  one  Luther 
Parker  took  the  oath  to  support  this  constitution,  and 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  executive  council,  but, 
having  through  misconduct  forfeited  the  confidence  of 
the  inhabitants,  they  ceased  to  elect  him  or  to  promote 
him  to  any  ofiice  under  the  constitution,  in  consequence 
of  which  he  became  dissatisfied,  transferred  his  alle- 
giance to  the  gov't  of  New  Hampshire  and  has  ever 
since,  by  misrepresentations  to  that  gov't  and  by  all 
other  means  in  his  power,  continued  to  harass  and  dis- 
turb the  peace  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream; 
and,  leagued  with  five  others,  he  forwarded  a  petition 
for  protection  to  the  gov't  of  New  Hampshire,  falsely 
purporting  to  be  a  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian 
Stream,  but  in  reality  signed  by  certain  inhabitants  of 
Colebrook,  Stewartstown,  and  Clarksville  in  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire.     This  Luther  Parker  was  subse- 


186  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

quently  arrested  under  a  warrant  issued  by  Mr.  Rea 
for  an  assault  on  one  Jonathan  C.  L.  Knight,  and  con- 
veyed to  Sherbrooke  gaol,  whence  he  was  discharged  on 
giving  bail. 

We  have  further  to  report  to  Your  Excellency  that 
several  of  th6  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream,  obnoxious 
to  the  authorities  of  New  Hampshire  on  account  of 
their  attachment  to  the  British  gov't,  have  been  driven 
from  their  homes,  that  their  houses  have  been  rifled, 
their  females  abused,  and  their  property  sacrificed,  and 
that  the  territory  is  now  in  the  possession  of  a  body  of 
New  Hampshire  militia,  consisting  of  50  men  under 
the  immediate  orders  of  the  same  James  Mooney  who 
was  conspicuous  in  the  affray  at  Hereford;  that  in  our 
progress  thro'  the  Indian  Stream  Settlement  in  the 
prosecution  of  our  enquiry  we  were  stopped  on  the 
highway,  near  the  house  of  one  Fletcher  (also  marked 
on  the  accompanying  figurative  plan),  by  a  military 
guard  composing  a  part  of  the  force  above  mentioned, 
who  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  commanded  us  to 
stand,  and  would  not  permit  us  to  pass,  altho'  made 
aware  of  the  authority  under  which  we  were  acting.  And 
we  further  report  that  several  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Indian  Stream  have  been  lately  carried  prisoners  to  Lan- 
caster gaol  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  for  rebellion 
against  the  laws  of  that  state,  some  of  whom  have  been 
liberated  on  bail,  but  two  of  the  number,  viz.,  Emor 
Applebee  and  Benj.  Applebee,  still  remain  incarcerated. 
Amongst  those  who  were  most  active  in  the  commission 
of  the  outrages  above  mentioned,  we  would  direct  Your 
Excellency's  attention  in  an  especial  manner  to  Ephraim 
C.  Aldrich  and  Luther  Parker,  inhabitants  of  Indian 
Stream,  the  former  being  the  person  who  cut  Mr.  Rea 
over  the  head  with  a  sabre,  and  who  afterwards  at- 
tempted to  take  his   life,  and  the  latter,  who  acted  as  a 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  187 

spy  and  general  disturber  of  the  peace,  as  also  to  Miles 
Hurlburt  of  Stewartstown,  New  Hampshire,  who  shot 
Bernard  Young,  James  Mooney,  the  captain  of  the  guard 
stationed  at  Indian  Stream,  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin, 
Thomas  B.  Blodgett,  and  James  M.  Hilliard,  who  were 
the  leaders  of  the  party  which  rescued  Blanchard,  and  to 
Joseph  P.  Wiswell.  And  we  do  further  report  that  from 
the  disposition  manifested  by  the  authorities  of  New 
Hampshire  to  oppress  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream, 
and  the  threats  which  are  daily  made  of  again 
offering  violence  to  IVIr.  Ilea  and  others,  His  Majesty's 
subjects  in  that  quarter,  there  appears  to  exist  an 
absolute  necessity  for  speedy  measures  being  taken 
by  the  British  gov't  for  their  relief  and  protection. 
We  would  humbly  recommend  to  the  favorable  consid- 
eration of  Your  Exc'y  Bernard  Young,  who  was  severely 
wounded  while  acting  as  a  peace  officer  in  the  execu- 
tion of  his  duty  under  Mr.  Rea,  he  being  still  incapaci- 
tated for  labor,  and  much  injured  in  his  general  health, 
and  having  no  means  of  paying  the  fees  of  his  medical 
attendant,  or  of  earning  a  livelihood,  except  by  the  work 
of  his  hands;  and  in  conclusion  we  beg  leave  to  observe 
that  we  are  indebted  to  Capt.  Hayne  for  his  assistance 
in  ascertaining  and  marking  on  the  diagram  and  plan 
the  situation  of  the  different  places  referred  to  in  the 
deposition  of  the  witnesses,  and  in  this  our  report,  which 
is  humbly  submitted. 

Lennoxville,  1st  January,  1836. 

Signed    Edward  Short, 
I.    McKenzie, 
Benj.  Pomroy. 


188  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Hon.  William  Badger  to  John  P.  Hale,  Esq. 

GiLMANTON,   Nov.   3,    1836. 
John  P.  Hale,  Esq. 

Dear  Sir: — I  have  this  moment  rec'd  your  letter 
stating  that  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Governor 
of  Canada  to  make  certain  investigations  at  Indian 
Stream  reported  that  I  was  connected  with  a  certain 
company  of  land  speculators,  who  claim  the  territory 
of  Indian  Stream  as  their  private  property  under  a  pre- 
tended title  from  one  King  Philip,  an  Indian. 

So  far  the  report  is  entirely  false,  without  the  least 
shadow  of  truth.  I  have  not,  and  never  had  the  least 
pretence  or  claim  to  any  of  the  lands  in  that  section  of 
the  state  under  King  Philip  or  any  other  one,  and  the 
accusation  is  as  groundless  as  I  think  the  claim  of  the 
British  government  to  that  territory. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  very  respectfully, 
Your  ob't  servant, 

William  Badger. 


E.  H.  Mahurin  to  Gen.  Joseph  Low 

Columbia,  Aug.  28,  1836. 

Respected  Sir: — Having  now  got  some  over  the  fatigue 
of  our  tour,  I  proceed  to  communicate  to  you  some  in- 
formation which  I  deem  of  some  importance  to  the 
state,  and  which  must  be  conclusive  in  settling  the 
boundary  line  on  Indian  Stream  Territory. 

I  had  been  told  by  some  old  hunters  that  the  waters 
of  the  Androscoggin  run  several  miles  around  to  the 
north  of  the  corner  as  marked  by  Col.  Eames  in  1789; 
and  I  communicated  that  fact  to  Gov.  John  Bell  in 
1828,  requesting  him  to  urge  that  fact  strongly  on  the 
commissioners    at  that  time  engaged  in  settling  the 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  189 

boundary  question ;  but  it  seems  that  all-important  fact 
has  never  been  urged  on  the  British  government. 

It  is  not  strange  that  Col.  Eames  and  the  committee 
of  '89  should  have  thought  that  they  were  on  the 
treaty  "highlands"  when  they  got  on  to  the  mountain 
where  they  marked  the  corner;  the  country  at  that  time 
was  entirely  unknown  except  to  the  Indians,  and  it 
appears  by  Col.  Eames 's  journal  that  the  weather  was 
cloudy  and  stormy,  and  they  could  not  have  that  view 
which  we  had  in  clear  weather;  also  the  small  streams 
running  from  that  range  of  mountains  generally  run 
northwardly,  and  might  very  naturally  be  mistaken  for 
"Canada  waters,"  as  he  terms  them  in  his  journal.  In 
all  our  tour  we  never  passed  a  single  stream  or  rivulet 
but  what  ran  into  either  the  Androscoggin  or  Connecti- 
cut, and  I  think  we  could  not  have  been  nearer  than 
eight  or  ten  miles  to  the  nearest  waters  of  St.  Francis 
river. 

I  send  you  a  rough,  hasty  sketch  of  the  situation  of 
the  streams  and  highlands,  drawn  without  instruments, 
in  a  few  moments,  but  which  will  give  you  as  good  a 
general  view  of  it  as  if  done  with  mathematical  accuracy. 
You  will  notice  by  this  that  it  is  very  plain  that  either 
Indian  Stream  or  Hall  Stream,  and  probably  the  latter, 
must  be  the  "head"  of  Connecticut  river  intended  by 
the  treaty,  as  you  cannot  follow  the  highlands  westerly 
and  get  near  the  waters  which  run  into  the  lakes. 

In  fact,  if  the  United  States  and  the  British  govern- 
ment would  each  appoint  an  intelligent,  practical  man, 
and  have  them  go  and  make  an  actual  examination  of 
the  highlands  and  waters,  they  would  settle  the  question 
at  once,  and  put  a  final  end  to  this  vexatious  contro- 
versy, and  much  more  favorable  to  us  than  we  have 
ever  contended  for. 

At  any  rate,  according  to  their  own  construction  of 


190  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

the  treaty,  we  have  from  40  to  60  thousand  acres  of 
land  more  than  we  ever  thought  of  claiming;  and  Gen. 
Young  and  Mr.  Hillard,  who  left  us  when  we  were  run- 
ning the  north  line,  and  went  on  to  it  and  examined  the 
land,  waters,  &c.,  say  much  of  it  is  excellent  land.  Con- 
sidering this  information  of  importance,  I  have  thought 
it  my  duty  thus  early  to  apprize  the  commissioners  of 
the  fact,  that  they  may  communicate  it  to  the  Execu- 
tive. 

I  find  some  difficulty  in  finding  good  hands,  in  this 
busy  time  of  harvesting,  to  go  out  with  me,  but  hope 
to  be  able  to  set  out  on  Wednesday  next  to  complete 
the  survey  of  the  rivers. 

I  am  respectfully, 

your  ob't  servant, 

Eph.  H.  Mahurin. 
Gen.  Joseph  Low. 

P.  S.  Magalloway  river  is  the  main  branch  of  the  An- 
droscoggin river. 

DEPOSITIONS 


Deposition  of  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin 

I  Eph.  H.  Mahurin,  of  Columbia,  Coos  county,  N.  H.,, 
depose  and  say  that  in  August  last  past  I  was  employed 
by  Gen.  Jos.  Low  and  others,  the  Indian  Stream  com- 
missioners, as  a  surveyor  to  examine  and  survey  the 
sources  of  the  several  branches  of  Connecticut  river, 
and  the  heights  of  land  adjacent,  as  set  forth  in  the 
survey  of  the  state's  commissioners  in  the  year  1789. 
That,  accompanied  by  Gen.  Ira  Young,  James  M.  Hil- 
liard,  and  others,  as  packmen,  &c.,  I  proceeded  to  Lake 
Connecticut,  and  from  thence  to  the  Second  lake,  so 
called,  which  we  explored,  and  the  various  small  streams 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  191 

leading  into  it ;  from  thence  we  crossed  the  highlands  to 
the  easterly  line  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  which 
line  we  followed,  crossing  many  small  streams  running 
eastwardly  into  Magalloway  river,  which  is  a  large 
branch  of  Androscoggin  river,  until  we  reached  the 
northeasterly  corner,  which  we  found  to  agree  with 
Col.  Jeremiah  Eames's  journal  of  the  survey  in  1789, 
being  marked  on  a  birch  tree,  and  the  marks  on  the  same 
corresponding,  as  far  as  legible  from  age,  with  those 
noted  in  the  journal  of  said  survey.  We  then  followed 
his  line,  and  found  the  points  of  compass  and  distances 
to  agree  with  his  journal  and  field  book  for  about 
eight  miles,  which  led  us  to  a  point  considerably  north 
and  west  of  the  upper  lake  or  pond,  and  also  of  all 
the  waters  running  into  the  same.  We  found  two  or 
three  very  small  brooks  running  into  said  pond  from 
the  north,  which,  we  judged,  were  none  of  more  than 
one  half  mile  in  length,  and  the  lands  to  the  north  very 
high,  and  the  heights  lying  in  rather  a  circular  form  in 
a  northerly  direction. 

We  then  run  and  marked  a  line  due  west  to  Indian 
Stream,  which  we  found,  where  we  crossed  it,  suffi- 
ciently large  for  mills  at  a  good  pitch  of  water,  and  then 
run,  measured,  and  marked  a  line  due  west  from  thence 
to  Hall  Stream,  on  its  easterly  branch,  being  much  the 
longest  branch  of  said  stream,  and  found  the  distance 
between  the  streams  to  be  three  and  one  half  miles  and 
ten  rods. 

We  then  run  on  three  miles  west,  crossing  two  small 
brooks  evidently  leading  into  the  east  branch  of  Hall 
Stream,  and  over  some  high  land,  and  at  the  end  of  three 
miles  came  to  waters  leading  into  Clifton  river  in  Lower 
Canada  at  the  point  marked  "C"  on  the  plan  exhibited. 

We  then  surveyed  the  stream  from  the  mouth  of 
Indian  Stream  to  the  mouth  of  Hall  Stream,  and  then 


192  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

surveyed  Hall  Stream  from  its  mouth  to  the  source  of 
the  easterly  branch,  and  found  it  to  be  eighteen  miles 
and  twenty  two  rods  in  length,  and  surveyed  Indian 
Stream  from  our  west  line  to  its  source. 

On  the  accompanying  plan  the  river,  between  the 
mouths  of  Indian  and  Hall  Streams,  the  whole  of  Hall 
Stream,  and  that  part  of  Indian  Stream  northerly  of  our 
west  line,  are  laid  down  from  actual  survey  and  admeas- 
urement. Indian  Stream  from  said  line  to  its  mouth, 
and  the  lakes  and  waters  leading  into  and  from  them, 
as  also  Perry  Stream  and  Magalloway  river  and  their 
branches,  are  laid  down  from  examination,  and  not  from 
actual  survey  and  admeasurement. 

From  our  examination  it  is  rendered  certain  that  the 
state's  committee,  who  run  the  line  in  1789,  mistook 
the  waters  of  Magalloway  for  waters  running  into  the 
St.  Francis,  and  supposed  they  were  on  the  highlands 
according  to  the  treaty,  when,  in  fact,  they  were  on  the 
highlands  dividing  the  waters  of  Magalloway  and  Con- 
necticut rivers,  and  that  between  the  line  then  marked 
and  the  actual  highlands,  according  to  the  treaty,  lies 
a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  waters  of  said  Magalloway, 
which,  according  to  any  reasonable  construction  of  the 
treaty,  must  be  within  the  United  States,  and  appeared 
to  be  valuable  land. 

The  heights  of  land  contemplated  by  the  treaty,  as 
laid  down  on  the  plan,  are  one  continuous  chain  of 
mountains,  ranging  about  northeast  and  southwest,  as 
far  as  we  could  see  to  the  northeast,  but  are  not  as  high 
when  you  get  near  to  the  point  "  C  "  on  the  plan.  They 
are  probably  not  laid  down  so  far  from  the  line  run  by 
the  committee  on  the  plan  as  they  ought  to  be,  except 
at  the  point  marked  "D,"  where  the  location  is  exact. 

The  lands  around  the  upper  lakes  and  on  the  east- 
erly line  of  the  state  to  the  corner,  and  on  the  line  on 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  193 

the  highlands  as  run  by  the  committee  in  1789,  are  of 
very  little  value.  The  lands  adjoining  Lake  Connecti- 
cut, and  between  said  lake  and  the  mouth  of  Indian 
Stream,  and  around  Back  lake,  are  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  them  good  lands  for  cultivation,  and  settle- 
ments are  interspersed  in  various  directions. 

The  lands  on  the  easterly  side  of  Indian  Stream,  for 
some  distance  from  its  mouth  nearly  to  its  source,  are 
various  in  quality,  but  a  considerable  portion  of  good 
land,  and  there  are  some  extensive  intervales  on  said 
stream. 

The  lands  between  Indian  and  Hall  Streams  are  more 
uniformly  of  the  first  rate  quality  of  upland  than  any  I 
have  seen  in  the  same  quantity  together  anywhere  in 
this  county,  and  I  believe  there  is  no  town  in  this  part 
of  the  country  where  the  upland  is  so  uniformly  good 
for  cultivation. 

Eph.  H.  Mahurin. 

October  24th,  1836. 

Coos,  ss.     October  25th,  1836.     Personally  appear- 
ing Ephraim  H.  Mahurin,  and  made  solemn  oath  that 
the  foregoing  deposition,  by  him  subscribed,  is  true. 
Before  me,  Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Ira  Young 

I,  Ira  Young  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of  Coos 
and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  do  depose  and  say  that 
in  August,  1836,  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Joseph  Low  and 
Col.  John  P.  Hale,  I  accompanied  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin, 
Esquire,  who  had  been  employed  by  them  as  surveyor, 
to  ascertain  the  northeast  and  north  boundaries  of 
the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  and  also  to  find  the  line, 
if  any,  run  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  legisla- 
ture of  said  state  in  1789,  composed  of  J.  Cram,  Jere- 

13 


194  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

miah  Eames,  Col.  Hoit,  and  others.  We  repaired  to 
Indian  Stream  Territory,  and  after  having  explored  the 
lake  above  Lake  Connecticut,  or  Second  lake,  so 
called,  we  went  east  to  the  line  between  the  states  of 
Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  followed  that  until  we 
came  to  the  birch  tree  which  was  marked  by  said  com- 
mittee as  the  northeast  corner  of  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  found  upon  that  tree  ancient  marks 
similar  to  those  described  to  have  been  put  there  by 
said  committee,  some  of  which  were  "1789"  "J.  E." 
*'M54";  that  said  tree  stands  some  distance  from  the 
top  of  the  range  of  highlands,  upon  which  it  is  situated. 
James  M.  Hilliard  and  myself  went  to  the  top  of  the 
height  to  see  if  the  waters  running  into  the  St.  Lawrence, 
Canada,  run  in  the  valley  between  that  height  and  the 
height  next  beyond  northerly;  that  we  ascertained 
from  that  examination,  and  from  other  information, 
that  the  stream  in  said  valley,  which  there  tended  east- 
erly, was  a  branch  of  the  Magallo  way,  which  empties  into 
the  Androscoggin  river;  that  we  returned  to  said  birch 
tree,  and  from  thence  we  followed  and  measured  the  line 
made  and  spotted  by  said  committee,  I  carrying  one 
end  of  the  chain,  six  miles;  that  said  line  was  on  the 
highlands  south  of  said  Magalloway  branch,  and  found 
the  courses  and  distances  indicated  by  said  committee 
in  1789  to  be  correct.  We  thought  it  unimportant  to 
measure  any  further.  We  chained  no  farther,  but  fol- 
lowed said  line,  which  was  very  distinct  in  most  places, 
although  made  so  many  years  since.  Said  line  led  us 
within  five  or  six  rods  of  a  circular  pond  from  which  the 
waters  run  through  the  Second  lake  into  Lake  Con- 
necticut, and  thus  into  Connecticut  river.  Said  pond 
is  about  one  mile  in  circumference,  and  is  sometimes 
called  the  Third  lake,  and  is  surrounded  by  quite  high 
lands.     Said  Hilliard  and  myself  went  northerly  from 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  195 

said  pond  to  the  top  of  the  heights.  We  judged  it  from 
six  to  eight  miles  from  that  height  to  the  next  height 
northerly,  and  we  were  satisfied  from  our  examination 
that  the  branch  of  the  Magalloway  before  spoken  of  as 
running  in  the  valley  north  of  said  birch  tree  continued 
on  in  the  valley  north  of  said  pond,  running  from  the 
west,  tending  eastwardly.  From  the  said  pond  to  said 
first  heights  is  perhaps  one  hundred  rods,  perhaps  one 
mile.  From  thence  said  Hilliard  and  myself  went  west- 
erly, and  in  the  course  of  from  one  to  four  miles  we 
crossed  three  or  four  branches  of  said  Magalloway, 
small  streams  running  northerly  into  said  valley  north- 
erly of  said  pond.  In  that  course  we  came  upon  a  very 
large  and  extensive  piece  of  flat  land,  out  of  which  some 
of  the  branches  of  Magalloway  flowed,  and  also  a 
branch  of  the  Indian  Stream,  all  running  northerly. 
Said  branch  of  Indian  Stream  and  our  branch  of  Magal- 
loway were  near  together.  We  went  north  of  all  the 
waters  that  flowed  into  said  pond,  but  came  to  the  con- 
clusion, from  what  we  could  see,  that  some  waters  run- 
ning into  said  pond  took  their  rise  in  the  south  part  of 
said  flat  land,  and  also  that  some  of  the  Magalloway 
waters  rose  south  of  the  waters  running  into  said  pond. 
We  found  the  rest  of  our  party,  who  had  followed  said 
committee's  line  some  four  or  five  miles  westerly  of  said 
pond,  from  whence  we  took  a  due  west  course  until  we 
struck  Indian  Stream,  where  it  was  something  of  a  mill 
stream,  some  one  and  a  half  to  two  rods  wnde,  and 
spotted  our  line  west  to  that  place,  and  from  thence  we 
returned  home. 

The  distance  from  the  height  on  which  said  birch 
tree  stands,  before  mentioned,  as  designated  by  said 
committee  in  1789  as  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
state,  to  the  next  height  north  is,  as  near  as  I 
could   calculate  without  measuring,  from  six  to  eight 


196  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

miles.     The  heights  last  mentioned  tend  easterly  and 
westerly. 

Ira  Young. 
Coos,  ss.     October  22,  1836.     Personally  appearing 
Ira  Young  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the  foregoing 
deposition,  by  him  subscribed,  is  true. 

Before  Eph.  H.  Mahurin,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  James  M.  Hilliard 

1,  James  M.  Hilliard  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hamsphire,  of  lawful  age,  de- 
pose and  say  that  in  August,  1836,  I  was  employed  by 
Gen.  Joseph  Low  to  accompany  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin, 
who  was  employed  by  him  as  surveyor,  as  a  guide,  &c., 
to  ascertain  the  east  and  northern  boundary  of  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire.  That  we  went  to  the  line 
between  the  states  of  Maine  and  N.  Hampshire,  fol- 
lowed that  until  we  arrived  at  the  birch  tree  which  was 
marked  as  and  for  the  northeast  corner  of  the  state 
by  a  state  committee  in  1789.  That  I  examined  for 
the  purpose  of  ascertaining  what  waters  run  in  the  val- 
ley northerly  of  said  birch  tree,  and  from  that  examina- 
tion, and  from  my  former  acquaintance  of  the  waters 
of  Magalloway  river  south  of  that  spot,  I  have  no  doubt 
that  the  waters  running  in  that  valley  are  the  Magal- 
loway waters,  which  river  Magalloway  empties  into 
the  Androscoggin  river.  That  the  distance  from  said 
birch  tree  to  the  next  heights  north  is,  as  near  as  I  can 
calculate  it  without  measuring,  between  7  and  8  miles. 
And  I  have  no  doubt  that  height  divides  the  waters  which 
run  into  Androscoggin  and  into  the  St.  Lawrence  rivers. 

That  we  followed  the  river  as  established  by  said 
committee  in  1789,  commencing  at  said  birch  tree,  run- 
ing  southerly  and  westerly  about  seven  miles  to  the 
pond  or  Third  lake,  which  is  above  and  connected  with 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  197 

Lake  Connecticut.  That  I  made  a  farther  examination 
north  of  the  heights  which  are  near  said  pond,  to  ascer- 
tain what  waters  run  in  the  valley  north  and  west  of 
the  waters  running  into  said  pond.  That  I  ascertained 
to  my  satisfaction  from  examination  and  otherwise,  that 
the  waters  running  north  and  west  over  the  heights 
north  of  said  pond  were  the  Magalloway  waters,  which, 
running  northerly  and  westerly,  are  a  continuation  of 
the  waters  spoken  of  as  running  north  of  said  birch 
tree.  And  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  waters  north  of 
soid  pond  are  the  Magalloway  waters. 

From  the  best  calculation  I  could  make  without  act- 
ual admeasurement,  that  from  said  pond  to  the  heights 
north  dividing  the  waters  of  the  Magalloway  and  the 
St.  Francis,  which  empties  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  the 
distance  is  seven  or  eight  miles,  and  that  those  heights 
tend  easterly  and  westerly. 

That  the  branches  of  the  Magalloway  which  run 
about  one  hundred  rods  north  from  said  pond,  or  some 
of  them,  have  their  rise  about  four  or  five  miles  west  of 
the  small  streams  which  run  into  said  pond,  and  that 
one  branch  of  said  Magalloway  and  one  branch  of 
Lidian  Stream  have  their  rise  near  together. 

That  we  run  due  west  from  near  said  pond,  and  as 
far  north  as  the  head  waters  of  the  small  streams  which 
run  into  said  pond,  about  6  miles,  and  struck  Indian 
Stream,  which  stream  at  that  place  was  suflBciently 
large  to  carry  a  mill,  about  one  and  a  half  or  two  rods 
wide.  I  left  said  stream  on  my  return  home.  I  have 
been  on  hunting  excursions  heretofore  up  said  Magallo- 
way waters  within  a  short  distance  of  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  state  before  mentioned,  and  know  from 
having  descended  it  that  it  was  the  Magalloway  water. 

James  M.  Hilliard. 

Coos,  ss.     October  1,  1836.    Sworn  to  before  me, 
Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


198  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Deposition  of  John  Hughes 

I,  John  Hughes  of  Canaan  in  the  county  of  Essex  and 
state  of  Vermont,  depose  and  say  that  some  time  in  the 
year  A.  D.  1820  or  1821  I  was  employed  by  Dr.  Turk 
and  a  Mr.  Carhsle,  British  surveyors,  to  go  with  them 
and  survey  the  Connecticut  river  from  the  forty-fifth 
degree  of  north  latitude  to  its  source.  Accordingly  we 
commenced  at  Col.  Jeremiah  Eames's  in  Stewartstown, 
and  surveyed  up  the  Connecticut  river  on  its  east  side 
till  it  is  intersected  by  Hall's  Stream,  when  we  crossed 
over  to  the  other  side  and  ran  up  to  the  first  lake,  which 
is  called  Lake  Connecticut,  which  lake  we  surveyed, 
and  surveyed  the  river  from  said  lake  up  to  the  middle, 
or  Second  lake,  which  we  also  surveyed,  and  surveyed 
the  stream  which  appeared  to  be'  the  largest,  and  which 
led  from  the  third  pond,  situated  about  5  or  6  miles 
above  the  second  pond,  and  about  one  mile  long  and 
about  one  half  or  three  quarters  of  a  mile  wide.  There 
were  two  streams  running  into  this  pond,  both  of  which 
we  measured,  one  was  less,  and  the  other  more,  than  a 
half  mile  long. 

When  we  arrived  at  the  source  of  the  laigest  brook 
which  ran  into  the  pond,  and  could  find  no  running 
water  any  further  up,  Mr.  Carlisle  remarked  that  Judge 
Chipman  had  told  them  to  run  up  to  the  last  drop  of 
running  water  in  the  main  branch  of  Connecticut  river, 
and  that,  having  done  that,  we  might  put  up  our  chains, 
as  there  was  no  further  use  for  them,  which  we  accord- 
ingly did. 

After  we  had  surveyed  to  the  source  of  these  waters, 
as  I  have  stated,  we  returned  to  the  camp,  which  was  at 
the  last  named  little  pond  at  the  head  of  Connecticut 
river,  as  now  called,  and  one  Brockway,  who  accompanied 
us,  told  the  British  surveyors  that  the  St.  Francis 
waters  were  just  over  the  hill  upon  the  side  of  which  we 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  199 

had  surveyed.  I  then  asked  said  Brockway  how  long 
he  had  been  in  this  country,  and  he  replied  eighteen 
months.  I  made  answer  that  I  had  hunted  over  that 
very  country  for  more  than  twenty  years,  and  that  I 
knew  the  St.  Francis  waters  were  not  to  be  found  within 
eight  miles.  We  then  returned  to  the  source  of  the 
stream  which  we  had  surveyed,  and  there  the  surveyors 
made  marks  upon  the  trees,  and  set  their  compass  and 
indicated  a  due  west,  upon  which  we  went  without 
measuring  the  distance,  till  we  intersected  the  middle 
branch  of  Indian  Stream,  at  a  place  large  enough  for  a 
small  mill-stream,  so  large  that  we  were  under  the 
necessity  of  cutting  a  tree  to  make  a  bridge  to  pass  over 
the  same.  When  we  intersected  this  stream  Dr.  Turk 
and  iVIr.  Carlisle  went  away  some  rods  distance  out  of 
hearing,  but  not  out  of  sight,  and  tarried  some  time, 
when  they  returned  and  told  me  to  pilot  them  the  best 
and  nearest  way  to  Col.  Eames's,  which  we  accordingly 
did.  This  was  all  I  had  to  do  with  surveying  about 
the  line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada.  On 
this  expedition  we  were  accompanied  by  no  American 
commissioner  or  surveyor,  nor  indeed  by  any  Amer- 
ican, except  myself  and  a  few  others  who  were  hired  by 
them  as  assistants. 

I  was  seventy  years  old  last  May. 

John  Hughes. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.  August  4,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Rufus  Brockway 

I,  Rufus  Brockway  of  Indian  Stream  Settlement  in 
the  county  of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose 
and  say  that  about  the  year  1820  I  was  employed  by 


200  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Mr.  Carlisle  and  Dr.  Turk,  British  surveyors,  to  go  with 
them  and  survey  Connecticut  river  above  the  forty- 
fifth  degree  of  north  latitude. 

We  accordingly  commenced  our  survey  oij  the  west 
side  of  Connecticut  river  at  the  45th  degree  of  north 
latitude,  and  run  up  the  Connecticut  river  to  Lake 
Connecticut;  we  then  surveyed  said  lake,  then  pro- 
ceeded to  measure,  up  stream,  the  main  branch  which 
ran  into  said  lake,  about  four  miles  to  a  second  lake 
or  pond,  which  we  also  surveyed.  There  were  three 
streams  which  ran  into  this  second  lake  or  pond,  and 
we  selected  the  westerly  one,  judging  that  to  be  the 
largest,  and  surveyed  that  up  about  seven  miles  to  a 
third  lake  or  pond,  being  about  one  mile  long  and  a  half 
mile  wide,  according  to  my  judgment.  This  last  or 
third  pond  we  also  surveyed,  and  surveyed  the  largest 
stream  which  ran  into  this  third  pond  about  the  distance 
of  one  mile,  when  we  came  to  the  high  land. 

After  we  had  come  to  the  source  of  the  last  stream 
which  we  surveyed,  we  ascended  the  height  of  the  high 
land  there,  and  Mr.  Carlisle  set  his  compass  and  found 
the  due  west  course,  upon  which  course  we  then  con- 
tinued our  survey,  and  ran  till  we  struck  a  small  stream 
which  proved  to  be  Indian  Stream;  we  ran  across  that 
stream,  and  continued  our  course  till  we  intersected 
another  stream  large  enough  for  a  mill  stream,  which 
we  found  was  Hall's  Stream.  When  we  came,  as  above 
stated,  to  Hall's  Stream,  Dr.  Turk  remarked  that  it 
was  of  no  use  to  proceed  any  farther,  as  there  could  be 
no  doubt  that  this  stream  was  the  one  which  extended 
farthest  to  the  northwest,  and  we  had  better  return 
immediately  to  the  45th  degree  of  north  latitude,  and 
he  directed  the  guide  to  proceed  to  the  nearest  inhabi- 
tant, which  he  did,  and  we  all  went  to  the  house  of  one 
Joseph  Weston,  in  the  township  of  Hereford,  in  the 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  201 

province  of  Lower  Canada,  where  we  tarried  all  night, 
and  the  following  day  returned  to  the  house  of  Col. 
Eames,  near  the  Connecticut  river,  about  one  mile 
south  of  the  45th  degree  of  north  latitude,  where  Dr. 
Turk  settled  with  the  men  who  accompanied  him  on 
the  expedition. 

In  May,  1821,  I  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Turk 
informing  me  that  he  wished  me  to  accompany  him  on 
another  surveying  expedition.  I  immediately  went  to 
Col.  Eames's,  as  requested  in  the  letter,  and  there  met 
Dr.  Turk,  who  told  me  he  wanted  me  to  go  with  him 
and  survey  Leach's  Stream,  and  see  if  that  did  not  ex- 
tend farther  to  the  northwest  than  did  Hall's  Stream. 
Accordingly  we  went  and  commenced  surveying  Leach's 
Stream,  and  continued  it  till  we  came  to  its  source.  We 
then  took  a  due  east  course  and  proceeded  till  we 
intersected  Hall's  Stream  a  httle  above  where  we  inter- 
sected on  the  former  route,  when  we  were  surveying 
westerly.  We  still  found  that,  at  the  place  where  we 
now  intersected  it,  it  was  quite  a  large  stream,  large 
enough  for  a  mill  stream.  Dr.  Turk  again  remarked 
that  Hall's  Stream  was  the  one  which  extended  farthest 
to  the  northwest,  and  that  it  was  of  no  use  to  proceed 
any  farther,  and  directed  the  guide  to  lead  them  to  Col. 
Eames's,  where  he  again  settled  with  the  men  who 
accompanied  him. 

On  the  following  morning  Dr.  Turk  remarked  to  me 
that  when  we  first  surveyed  Connecticut  river  we  had 
no  means  of  ascertaining  that  the  stream  running  into 
the  Second  lake  or  pond,  which  we  took  for  the  largest, 
was  actually  so,  as  we  did  not  survey  but  one  of  them, 
and  he  wanted  to  go  and  survey  another  of  them,  and 
see  if  we  could,  from  the  source  of  that,  run  a  due  west 
course  north  of  Hall's  Stream.  Accordingly  we  went 
to  the  Second  lake  or  pond,  mentioned  in  our  first  sur- 


202  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

veying  expedition,  and  commenced  surveying  the  east- 
erly stream,  which  emptied  itself  into  the  Second  lake 
or  pond  aforesaid,  and  surveyed  it  to  its  source.  We 
then  took  a  due  west  course,  and  ran  on  it  till  we  again 
intersected  Hall's  Stream,  not  far  from  the  places  where 
we  had  formerly  intersected  it  on  our  two  former 
expeditions.  Dr.  Turk  again  remarked,  as  he  had  twice 
before,  that  it  was  of  no  use  for  him  to  proceed  any 
farther,  for  Hall's  Stream  was  the  one  which  came  the 
farthest  from  the  northwest,  and  must  ultimately  be 
the  prevailing  stream,  and  we  then  returned  to  Col. 
Eames's,  and  Dr.  Turk  settled  with  me. 

RuFus  Brockway. 
State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.     August  3,  1836. 
Then    Rufus  Brockway,    above    named,  personally 
appeared  and  made  oath  that  the  above  deposition,  by 
him  signed,  is  true.     Before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Luther  Fuller 

I,  Luther  Fuller  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of  Coos 
and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say  that  in 
the  year  1785  I  hunted  on  Indian  Stream  Territory  for 
Maj.  Whitcomb,  and  afterwards  in  1789  I  went  with  the 
N.  H.  committee  for  locating  the  lands  belonging  to 
the  state  in  the  north  and  east  part  of  said  state. 
That  ever  since  1785  I  have  been  acquainted  with  said 
territory,  having  resided  most  of  that  time  in  this  section 
of  the  state.  I  have  always  understood  the  same  to 
belong  to  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  and  always 
supposed  the  line  as  run  in  1789  as  fixing,  locating,  and 
establishing  that  territory  as  within  the  state,  and 
never  heard  it  questioned  until  within  a  year  or  two, 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  203 

and  I  never  knew  of  any  claim  made  dm'ing  that  time 
by  the  British  or  Canadian  government,  until  within  a 
year  or  two,  of  that  territory. 

That  about  thirty  years  since,  Levi  Willard,  a  sheriff 
of  Cobs  county,  attached  and  drove  away  a  number  of 
oxen  and  cows  and  young  cattle  from  said  territory 
belonging  to  a  person  of  the  name  of  Smart,  who  resided 
at  said  Indian  Stream,  and  I  have  heard  of  services 
having  been  made  in  said  territory  ever  since  by  sheriffs, 
or  their  deputies,  of  Coos  county.  From  my  knowledge 
of  Hall's  Stream,  Indian  Stream,  and  the  streams  run- 
ning into  the  ponds  and  lakes  connected  with  Lake 
Connecticut,  having  been  on  these  streams  in  1789  with 
the  committee,  and  having  hunted  there  before,  I  have 
no  doubt  that  Hall's  Stream  runs  farthest  northwest  of 
either  of  said  streams. 

Luther  Fuller. 

Coos,  ss.  August  9,  1836.  Personally  appearing 
Luther  Fuller,  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the  above 
deposition,  by  him  subscribed,  is  true.     Before  me, 

Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Luther  Fuller 

I,  Luther  Fuller  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of  Coos, 
do  depose  and  say  that  in  the  year  1789  I  was  employed 
by  Jeremiah  Fames,  a  Mr.  Cram,  and  a  Mr.  Hoit,  who 
had  been  appointed  commissioners  by  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire  to  ascertain,  run  out,  and  mark  the  north- 
western and  northern  bounds  of  New  Hampshire.  I 
accompanied  them  on  this  expedition.  In  the  month 
of  March  we  ascended  Hall's  Stream  about  fifteen  or 
seventeen  miles  from  its  mouth,  and  there  we  erected 
a  monument. 

When  we  had  arrived  at  this  point,  supposing  that  we 


204  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

had  got  above  the  other  head  waters  of  the  Connecticut, 
we  left  Hall's  Stream,  and  took  an  east  or  northeast 
course  till  we  reached  the  highlands  that  divide  the 
waters  that  run  into  St.  Francis  river  from  those  that 
run  into  the  Connecticut.  I  think  that  we  went  about 
fifteen  miles  from  Hall's  Stream  east  or  northeast  on 
to  the  highlands,  and  here  we  erected  a  monument,  and 
then  returned. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  we  went  to  Fryeburg,  now 
in  the  state  of  Maine,  and  run  north  on  the  line  between 
then  Massachusetts,  now  Maine,  and  New  Hampshire, 
till  we  again  came  to  the  highlands  that  divide  the 
waters  of  the  St.  Francis  from  those  of  Connecticut 
river  in  this  state.  Here  we  fell  and  girdled  trees,  and 
erected  a  monument  for  the  northeast  corner  of  New 
Hampshire.  Thence  we  run  west,  following  the  high- 
lands, till  we  came  to  the  monument  we  erected  on  the 
said  highlands  in  March  before,  when  we  went  up  Hall's 
Stream. 

Messrs.  Fames,  Cram,  and  Hoit  are  all  dead,  and  I 
believe  all  the  company  except  Theophilus  Cutler  and 
David  Smith,  who  live  somewhere  in  Vermont,  and 
myself. 

Several  years  since,  the  state  of  New  Hampshire 
commenced  prosecutions  against  one  Ebenezer  Fletcher 
and  some  others  for  intruding  upon  lands  in  Indian 
Stream  Territory.  Col.  Fames  was  witness  on  the  trials, 
and  I  heard  his  testimony,  and  he  swore  to  the  facts 
above  stated.  I  was  also  a  witness,  and  swore  to  the 
same.  I  further  say  that,  in  following  the  highlands 
from  the  northeast  monument  we  erected,  west,  we  pass 
above  all  the  head  waters  of  the  Connecticut,  or  the 
streams  emptying  into  the  Connecticut,  till  we  come  to 
Hall's  Stream.  I  well  recollect  we  passed  above  all  the 
waters  of  Indian  Stream,  which  was  then  considered  the 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  205 

main  branch  of  Connecticut  river,  though  there  was  but 
little  difference  in  the  size  of  the  three  branches. 

Luther  Fuller. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  3,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Jesse  Carr 

I,  Jesse  Carr  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of  Coos 
and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say  that  as 
early  as  the  year  1808  I  have  known  Levi  Willard,  at 
that  time  sheriff  of  this  county,  frequently  to  go  to 
Indian  Stream  Territory  for  the  purpose  (as  he  said) 
of  serving  judicial  process  on  some  of  the  inhabitants 
there,  and  on  one  occasion  I  knew  said  Willard  to  go 
with  a  writ  or  process,  as  he  then  told  me,  against  one 
Nathaniel  Wales  of  said  Indian  Stream,  and  I  saw  him 
return  with  said  Wales  in  his  custody.  I  further  depose 
and  say  that  I  have  for  about  thirty  years  been  well 
acquainted  with  Indian  Stream  Territory,  and  I  never 
knew  or  heard  of  any  other  authority  claiming  to  have 
any  jurisdiction  over  said  territory  except  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire,  till  within  about  one  year,  in  which 
time  I  have  heard  that  one  Alexander  Rea  has  been 
there  asserting  the  claim  of  Lower  Canada. 

I  further  depose  and  say  that  in  the  year  1821  I  was 
with  Dr.  Turk  and  Mr.  Carlisle,  British  surveyors,  to 
survey  the  line  between  this  state  and  Lower  Canada, 
and  that  Dr.  Turk  then  remarked  that  Indian  Stream 
would  be  the  one  ultimately  fixed  upon  as  the  boundary 
line,  because  that  was  the  one  most  northwesterly,  and 
the  one  first  intersected  by  the  highlands,  running  the 
course  indicated  by  the  treaty. 

I  further  depose  and  say  that  I  am  well  acquainted 


206  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

with  the  general  reputation  of  Alexander  Rea  of  Here- 
ford, and  it  is  bad.  One  reason  why  I  remember  ac- 
curately the  time  when  said  Willard  went  into  said 
territory  for  the  purpose  of  serving  process  on  inhabi- 
tants of  Indian  Stream  as  aforesaid  is  that  immediately 
previous  to  that  I  had  been  specially  deputed  by  said 
Willard  to  serve  a  warrant  on  an  inhabitant  of  said 
territory,  and  went  there  for  that  purpose,  but,  not 
finding  him,  returned,  having  made  no  service.  I  was 
appointed  a  deputy  sheriff  of  this  county  about  the 
year  1809,  and  continued  in  said  office  over  seven  years. 

Jesse  Carr. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  18, 1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Ebenezer  Fletcher 

I,  Ebenezer  Fletcher  of  Indian  Stream  in  the  county 
of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  I  have  resided  where  I  now  do  for  the  last  twenty- 
four  years,  and  I  never  knew  or  heard  of  any  other 
power  or  authority  than  the  state  of  New  Hampshire 
exercising  or  claiming  to  exercise  any  jurisdiction  over 
this  territory  till,  some  time  in  the  year  1835,  I  under- 
stood one  Alexander  Rea  had  been  into  the  settlement 
claiming  that  the  territory  belonged  to  Canada.  I 
have  frequently  known  the  sheriffs  from  New  Hamp- 
shire come  here  to  serve  legal  process,  but  I  never  knew 
any  officer  from  Canada  come  here,  or  attempt  to  come 
here,  with  any  such  purpose.  The  inhabitants  of  this 
settlement  have  generally,  till  within  about  fourteen 
months,  claimed  to  constitute  a  settlement  subject  to 
the  general  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  but  not 
within  the  limits  of  any  particular  state,  but  I  never 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  207 

knew  or  heard  of  any  of  the  inhabitants  claiming  to 
belong  to  Canada  till  the  time  I  have  before  mentioned, 
viz.,  some  time  in  1835.  I  do  not  know  where  the  line 
run  by  the  committee  of  the  N.  H.  legislature  in  the 
year  1789  is,  but  I  have  been  told  by  Thomas  Eames, 
who  has  been  dead  about  five  years,  that  he  "was  the 
surveyor  who  went  with  said  committee,  and  that  the 
line  which  said  committee  established  followed  the 
highlands  on  a  westerly  course  till  it  met  the  head 
waters  of  Hall's  Stream,"  and  the  limits  of  this  state 
have  always  been  reputed  and  considered  as  extending 
thus  far. 

Eben'r  Fletcher. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  11,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Gideon  Tirrell 

I,  Gideon  Tirrell  of  Clarksville  in  the  county  of  Coos 
and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say  that 
since  the  7th  day  of  March,  A.  D.  1825,  I  have  been 
a  justice  of  the  peace  for  said  county  of  Coos.  I 
have  for  twenty-two  years  resided  where  I  now  do, 
within  four  miles  and  a  half  of  Indian  Stream,  and 
during  all  this  time  I  have  never  known  or  heard  of 
any  other  government  than  the  state  of  New  Hampshire 
exercising  or  claiming  to  exercise  any  jurisdiction  in 
any  way  or  manner  over  said  territory,  till,  sometime 
in  the  month  of  June,  A.  D.  1835,  I  understood  one 
Alexander  Rea  had  claimed  the  territory  as  belonging 
to  the  province  of  Lower  Canada,  and  on  that  ground 
had  sent  a  warrant  there  against  Luther  Parker,  one 
of  the  inhabitants,  by  which  he  was  seized  and  carried 
out  of  the  state.     I  have  married  a  number  of  couples 


208  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

from  said  Indian  Stream,  and  I  never  knew  or  heard 
of  any  of  the  inhabitants  going  to  Canada  to  be  married, 
or  having  a  clergyman  or  magistrate  to  marry  them 
there  from  Canada.  I  have  known  the  inhabitants  of 
Indian  Stream  as  long  since  as  nine  or  ten  years  to 
obtain  the  bounty  paid  by  this  state  for  the  destruction 
of  wolves,  whenever  they  destroyed  any. 

Sometime  in  October  last  Clark  J.  Haynes  come  to 
my  house  and  informed  me  that  a  mob  from  Canada 
had  been  over  and  taken  Richard  I.  Blanchard,  and 
were  carrying  him  to  Canada.  This  report  excited 
very  general  indignation  in  this  neighborhood,  and  there 
was  a  general  turn-out  for  his  rescue,  myself  among  the 
number,  but  when  I  arrived  at  the  store  of  Parmelee 
&  Joy  in  Canaan,  Vermont,  I  found  that  said  Blanchard 
had  already  been  rescued,  and  he  was  then  there  at 
said  store. 

After  we  had  been  some  time  at  said  store  an  adver- 
tisement was  exhibited  offering  a  reward  of  five  dollars 
for  the  apprehension  of  one  John  H.  Tyler,  who  had 
previously  been  arrested  by  one  William  M.  Smith,  a 
deputy  sheriff  of  this  county,  and  rescued  from  him  by 
a  mob  at  Indian  Stream.  A  party  accordingly  started 
after  said  Tyler,  but  I  did  not  hear  the  name  of  Alex- 
ander Rea,  or  of  any  other  individual,  mentioned  as 
an  object  of  pursuit,  except  said  John  H.  Tyler. 

When  this  party  returned  they  brought  back  said 
Alexander  Rea  with  them.  I  did  not  go  into  Canada 
that  day  for  any  purpose. 

Gideon  Tirrell. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  9,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  209 

Deposition  of  David  Kent 

I,  David  Kent  of  Stewartstown  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  I  am  a  regularly  ordained  elder  of  the  Freewill 
Baptist  church,  and  as  such  duly  qualified,  by  the  regu- 
lations of  said  church  and  the  laws  of  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  to  solenmize  marriages.  I  am  now  in  the 
sixty-fifth  year  of  my  age,  and  have  resided  more  than 
eighteen  years  in  this  town,  and  have  been  all  the  time 
well  acquainted  with  Indian  Stream  and  its  inhabi- 
tants, and  I  never  knew  or  heard  of  any  other  govern- 
ment except  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  exercising 
or  claiming  to  exercise  any  jurisdiction  over  said  terri- 
tory, till  about  the  time  that  one  Alexander  Rea  was 
said  to  have  been  claiming  the  territory  as  belonging  to 
Canada,  not  far  from  two  years  since.  During  all  this 
time  the  inhabitants  of  said  Indian  Stream  Territory 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  coming  into  this  county  for 
the  purpose  of  being  joined  in  marriage,  and  never, 
so  far  as  I  have  learned,  have  they  gone  to  Canada  to 
be  married,  nor  has  any  marriage  ever  been  solemnized 
there  among  them  by  any  one  deriving  authority  from 
the  church  or  civil  authority  of  Canada.  I  have  mar- 
ried as  many  as  five  couples  from  said  Indian  Stream 
Territory,  and  about  four  years  since  I  joined  in  mar- 
riage at  said  Indian  Stream,  on  the  Sabbath  Day, 
Samuel  Drown  to  Deborah  Hyland.  This  was  in 
presence  of  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Indian 
Stream  Territory,  when  they  were  assembled  for  relig- 
ious worship,  and  I  heard  no  objection  made  or  sug- 
gested by  any  one  on  account  of  my  want  of  authority, 
it  being  derived  from  New  Hampshire. 

David  Kent. 
State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  5,  1836. 

Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

14 


210  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Deposition  of  Samuel  Danforth 

I,  Samuel  Danforth  of  Indian  Stream  in  the  county 
of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  I  am  fifty-two  years  of  age,  and  for  the  last  six- 
teen years  have  resided  at  Indian  Stream,  and  during 
all  that  time  I  never  knew  any  other  government  than 
the  state  of  New  Hampshire  exercise  or  claim  to  exer- 
cise any  jurisdiction  over  said  territory  in  any  way  or 
manner,  either  by  sending  judicial  process  there  to  be 
served,  or  in  any  other  way,  till  one  Alexander  Rea 
came  in  there,  claiming  the  territory  as  belonging  to 
Canada,  about  the  middle  of  June,  A.  D.  1835.  While 
I  have  lived  there,  the  inhabitants,  when  they  killed 
a  wolf,  or  any  other  creature  for  whom  a  bounty  is 
offered  by  the  laws  of  New  Hampshire,  have  uniformly 
gone  into  New  Hampshire  for  said  bounty,  and  have 
uniformly  received  it. 

About  a  year  since,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  said 
Alexander  Rea  addressed  the  inhabitants  of  said  Indian 
Stream  at  a  meeting  holden  at  the  school  house,  and, 
as  I  am  partially  deaf,  I  did  not  hear  all  he  said,  but 
remember  distinctly  that  one  object  of  Rea  was  to  have 
some  individuals  recommended  by  the  inhabitants 
for  the  appointment  of  justices  of  the  peace. 

Samuel  Danforth. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  9,  1886. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  John  Harriman 

I,  John  Harriman  of  Stewartstown  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  I  now  live,  and  for  the  last  sixteen  years  have 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  211 

resided  in  said  Stewartstown,  within  about  four  miles 
of  Indian  Stream  Settlement,  except  about  five  or  six 
years  of  the  time,  which  I  have  resided  in  Clarksville,  a 
town  yet  nearer  to  said  Indian  Stream  Settlement. 
During  said  sixteen  years  I  have  been  well  acquainted 
with  the  inhabitants  of  said  Indian  Stream  Territory, 
and  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time  resorted  there 
altogether  for  the  purposes  of  procuring  my  lumber 
sawed  at  the  sawmill,  and  my  grain  ground  at  the 
gristmill,  and  occasionally  for  other  purposes.  During 
the  whole  of  said  period  I  never  knew  of  the  authority 
of  the  province  of  Lower  Canada,  or  of  any  authority 
except  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  exercising  or 
attempting  to  exercise  any  jurisdiction  there,  until 
sometime  in  the  year  1835.  I  then  heard,  for  the  first 
time,  that  some  individuals  began  to  talk  about  the 
territory  belonging  to  the  province  of  Lower  Canada. 
In  the  course  of  that  year,  in  the  month  of  September 
(I  think),  I  understood,  casually,  that  there  was  to  be  a 
meeting  in  the  territory  for  the  purpose  of  nominating 
individuals  to  be  recommended  to  the  British  authority 
for  the  appointment  of  magistrates.  This  meeting  was 
to  be  holden  on  the  Sabbath,  and,  as  I  learned,  there  was 
an  adjourned  meeting  from  one  holden  the  day  pre- 
vious. I  went  to  attend  said  meeting  from  motives  of 
curiosity  solely,  and  when  I  arrived  there  I  found  that 
the  principal  man  of  said  meeting  was  one  Alexander 
Rea  of  the  town  of  Hereford  in  the  province  of  Lower 
Canada.  All  the  principal  measures  adopted  or  ad- 
vocated were  brought  forward  by  this  individual.  I 
well  remember  that  said  Rea  at  said  meeting  frequently 
assured  the  individuals  there  assembled  in  said  meeting 
that  they  should  be  protected  by  the  government  of 
Lower  Canada  against  the  encroachments  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  he  recommended  to  them  to  raise  a 


212  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

committee  to  report  to  the  government  of  Lower 
Canada  all  the  encroachments  of  New  Hampshire  as 
fast  as  they  should  occur,  which  was  accordingly  done. 
I  further  depose  and  say  that  during  said  time  I  have 
known  the  inhabitants  of  said  Indian  Stream  Territory 
frequently  to  resort  to  Stewartstown  aforesaid  for  the 
purpose  of  being  joined  in  marriage,  but  I  have  never 
known  or  heard  of  said  inha,bitants,  any  or  either  of 
them,  going  to  Canada,  or  any  other  place  except  New 
Hampshire,  for  the  purpose  of  being  married.  I  further 
depose  and  say  that  I  do  not  loiow  where  the  line 
established  by  the  committee  of  the  N.  H.  legislature 
in  the  year  1789  or  1790  is,  except  by  general  reputa- 
tion, which  always  has  been  that  the  line  extended  along 
the  highlands  dividing  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic  from 
the  St.  Lawrence,  till  the  intersection  of  said  highlands 
with  the  head  of  Hall's  Stream,  and  the  jurisdiction  of 
New  Hampshire  has  been  considered  and  reputed  as 
extending  thus  far. 

I  am  acquainted  with  the  general  reputation  of  said 
Alexander  Rea,  and  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  it  is 
not  good. 

John  Harriman. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  8,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

I  further  depose  and  say  that  in  April,  1836,  I  saw 
and  had  a  conversation  with  one  Flanders,  the  son  of 
Zebulon  Flanders  of  Hereford,  Lower  Canada.  He  is 
a  young  man  of  about  eighteen  or  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  appeared  to  be  a  fair,  candid  young  man.  He 
said  he  was  at  Alexander  Rea's  house  the  day  in  October 
last  that  Richard  I.  Blanchard  was  rescued  by  a  party 
from  New  Hampshire,  standing  near  Rea's  house  before 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  213 

said  Rea  was  taken  and  carried  to  Canaan,  and  when  he 
came  out  of  his  house  with  Zaccheus  CJough  and  Barnard 
Young,  said  Rea  had  received  information  that  two 
men  had  come  over  the  line  from  the  United  States,  and 
were  not  far  from  Rea's  house,  as  said  Flanders  in- 
formed me  he  understood.  Rea  said  to  Young  and 
Clough  "When  I  tell  you  hitch  upon  them,"  meaning 
one  Miles  Hurlburt  and  E.  C.  Aldrich,  who  were  then 
below  said  Rea's  house.  Rea  passed  hastily  along,  as 
said  Flanders  represented,  that  Rea  advanced  upon 
Hurlburt  and  Aldrich,  and  they  retreated  several  rods, 
the  said  Flanders  being  in  sight  of  them  at  that  time. 

WTien  said  Rea  was  at  Parmelee  &  Joy's,  at  Canaan, 
I  heard  a  conversation  between  Alexander  Rea  and  the 
said  E.  C.  Aldrich.  Said  Aldrich  said  to  Rea,  "Don't 
you  take  my  horse  again  by  the  bridle  when  I  am  in 
the  highway  peaceably."  Rea  answered  that  he  had 
a  right,  as  it  was  a  riot.  Aldrich  said  he  thought  not, 
as  it  took  more  than  two  by  the  laws  to  constitute  a 
riot.  Rea  replied,  it  was  approaching  a  riot,  or  some- 
thing to  that  effect,  which  was  all  I  heard  upon  the 
subject. 

John  Harriivian. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  8,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Nathaniel  Perkins 

I,  Nathaniel  Perkins  of  Indian  Stream  in  the  county 
of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  I  have  lived  where  I  now  do  twenty-two  years,  and 
during  all  the  time  I  never  knew  or  heard  of  any  other 
authority  or  government  exercising  or  claiming  to 
exercise  any  jurisdiction  here  except  the  state  of  New 


214  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Hampshire,  till,  sometime  in  the  year  1835,  one  Alex- 
ander Ilea  sent  into  the  settlement,  claiming  that  the 
territory  belonged  to  Canada.  Sometime  the  last  of 
September  or  first  of  October  last  past  said  Alexander 
Ilea  sent  a  letter  to  Jeremiah  Tabor  and  several  other 
inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream,  which  letter  was  shown 
to  me,  although  it  was  not  directed  to  me,  requesting 
them  to  notify  the  inhabitants  that  he  should  meet 
them  at  a  schoolhouse  in  the  settlement  on  the  then 
following  Saturday  at  4  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  also  on  the 
Sabbath  following  at  another  schoolhouse  in  the  set- 
tlement at  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  if  it  was  thought  best, 
and  that  he  would  meet  them  and  lay  before  them  more 
communications  from  his  government.  I  state  the 
contents  of  this  letter  from  recollection,  not  having  it 
in  my  possession.  The  meetings  were  notified  and 
holden  accordingly,  and  said  Ilea  attended  and  read 
some  communications  which  he  said  were  from  Lord 
Gosford,  the  Governor  of  Lower  Canada,  through  his 
private  secretary,  to  Mr.  Moore,  the  representative  of 
St.  Francis,  stating,  among  other  things,  that  the  terri- 
tory was  considered  by  the  government  of  Lower 
Canada  belonging  to  them  as  much  as  any  part  of  the 
district  of  St.  Francis,  and  the  inhabitants  would  be 
protected  by  said  government  against  the  encroach- 
ments of  New  Hampshire  or  any  other  government. 
He  then  suggested  the  propriety  of  the  whole  inhabit- 
ants, or  a  committee  to  be  raised  for  that  purpose, 
signing  a  paper  thanking  Lord  Gosford  for  the  notice 
he  had  taken  of  them,  and  requesting  further  assistance; 
he  also  proposed  that  a  committee  be  raised  to  report 
to  the  government  of  Canada  any  encroachments  which 
might  be  made  upon  them  by  the  state  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. He  then  made  remarks  to  the  meeting  of  a 
similar  character,  assuring  the  inhabitants  of  the  pro- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  215 

tection  of  the  government  of  Canada.  He  also  pro- 
posed that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  nominate 
suitable  individuals  to  be  recommended  for  the  ap- 
pointment of  justices  of  the  peace,  which  was  done 
accordingly. 

After  this  meeting  was  over  I  had  a  conversation 
with  said  Rea  upon  the  subject,  and  warned  him  against 
the  course  he  was  taking,  begged  him  to  desist,  for  he 
would  only  make  difficulty,  told  him  the  measure  the 
legislature  of  this  state  had  taken  to  assert  and  main- 
tain jurisdiction  over  the  territory,  to  which  he  replied 
that  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  would  not  be  so 
foolish  as  to  interfere  again  after  what  he  had  done. 

I  have  no  hesitation  in  giving  it  as  my  opinion  that 
all  the  difficulties  which  have  taken  place  in  this 
neighborhood  for  the  last  two  years  have  arisen  from 
the  meddling  and  interfering  officiousness  of  said 
Alexander  Rea. 

Nath'l  Perkins. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  10,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Deposition  of  Horace  Loomis 

I,  Horace  Loomis  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of  Coos 
and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say  that  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1825  I  was  appointed  a  deputy  of  the 
sheriff  of  said  county  of  Cobs,  and  that  year  or  the  one 
ensuing  I  had  a  writ  put  into  my  hands  against  Clark  J. 
Haynes,  and  about  the  same  time  two  or  three  writs 
against  Rufus  Brock  way,  and  also  one  writ  against 
John  McConnell,  all  residents  in  Indian  Stream  Terri- 
tory, and  also  divers  writs  against  several  others  resi- 
dent in  said  territory.     All  of  which  precepts  I  served. 


216  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

some  by  attaching  property,  and  some  by  arresting  the 
body  of  the  defendant,  and  at  no  time,  nor  on  any 
occasion,  did  I  hear  any  objection  made  to  the  service 
of  any  or  either  of  said  processes  by  any  one,  on  occasion 
of  any  real  or  pretended  claim  of  the  government  of 
Lower  Canada,  or  any  British  authority,  to  have  any 
jurisdiction  over  said  territory.  And  I  further  depose 
and  say  that  I  continued  to  act  as  deputy  sheriff  for 
said  county  until  May,  1834,  and  during  the  whole 
time  of  my  so  being  deputy  sheriff,  as  aforesaid,  I 
occasionally,  from  time  to  time,  served  process  in  said 
territory  or  settlement  as  they  were  put  into  my  hands, 
and  I  never  heard,  during  the  whole  of  said  period,  any 
claim  of  the  British  authorities  to  have  control  or 
jurisdiction  over  said  territory  or  settlement.  I  further 
depose  and  say  that  sometime  in  the  year  1826  or  1827 
I  had  a  writ  against  said  Brock  way,  and  made  a  prisoner 
of  him,  but  he  was  rescued  from  me  by  some  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  settlement.  I  returned  the  writ  to 
court,  with  a  return  thereon  stating  the  facts  precisely 
as  they  took  place.  Execution  thereupon  issued,  was 
put  into  my  hands  for  service,  and  I  collected  a  suflScient 
force  in  the  county,  went  into  the  territory,  and  made 
service  of  the  same  by  arresting  said  Brock  way,  and 
bringing  him  away  and  committing  him  to  jail  in 
Lancaster  in  this  county.  I  further  depose  and  say 
that  I  have  on  other  occasions  made  service  of  execu- 
tions on  the  inhabitants  of  said  territory  by  attaching 
and  selling  personal  property. 

Horace  Loomis. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,   Coos,  ss.     October  7th, 
1836. 
Then  the  said  Horace  Loomis  personally  appeared 
and   made   oath   that   the   above   deposition,  by   him 
subscribed,  is  true.    Before  me, 

Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  217 

Deposition  of  Francis  Willson 

I,  Francis  Willson  of  Guildhall  in  the  county  of 
Essex  and  state  of  Vermont,  depose  and  say  that  in 
the  year  1821  I  was  appointed  a  deputy  of  the  sheriff 
of  the  county  of  Coos,  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire, 
which  office  I  continued  to  hold  about  seven  years.  I 
resided  at  Colebrook,  in  said  county  of  Coos,  for  nearly 
three  years  immediately  following  my  said  appoint- 
ment, and  during  said  time  I  served  various  processes 
on  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream  Territory.  And 
during  said  time  I  never  heard  of  any  claim  to  juris- 
diction over  said  territory  or  its  inhabitants  by  any 
other  power  than  the  state  of  New  Hampshire.  Many 
of  the  inhabitants  of  said  territory  were  reputed  and 
considered  to  be  a  lawless  set,  opposed  to  the  enforce- 
ment of  any  law,  and  the  place  at  that  time,  from  its 
remote  situation,  was  supposed  to  be  a  place  of  resort 
for  those  who  found  it  inconvenient  to  reside  in  that 
part  of  the  country  where  debts  could  be  collected  by 
legal  process,  and  the  criminal  law  duly  enforced. 

Francis  Willson. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  6,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Ilezekiah  Parsons 

I,  Hezekiah  Parsons  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  one  of  the  justices 
of  the  peace  of  said  county,  and  late  member  of  the 
New  Hampshire  legislature,  do  depose  and  say  that 
I  have  resided  in  this  town  about  forty-five  years,  and 
am  well  acquainted  with  the  Indian  Stream  Territory. 
In  the  year  1817  or  1818  I  was  deputy  sheriff  in  said 


218  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

county,  and  had  precepts  against  persons  residing  in 
said  territory,  and  I  went  there  for  the  purpose  of  serv- 
ing the  same  by  attachment  of  property,  but  could  not 
find  such  as  I  was  directed  to  take.  The  territory  was 
then,  and  had  been  deemed  by  most  people  as  belonging 
to  New  Hampshire.  I  recollect  that  in  1807  I  was  a 
member  of  the  N.  H.  legislature,  and  there  was  then 
a  petition  before  said  legislature  praying  the  state  to 
relinquish  their  claim  to  said  territory,  which  was 
refused.  Since  the  time  I  have  referred  to,  in  1817  or 
1818,  I  have  often  heard  of  precepts  being  served  in 
the  Indian  Stream  Territory,  issued  by  the  authorities 
in  New  Hampshire,  and  served  by  their  officers.   • 

Some  time  about  the  year  1820  I  was  employed  by 
the  Attorney-General  of  the  state  to  ascertain  the  lines 
and  bounds  of  certain  settlers  on  the  territory,  for  the 
purposes  of  judicial  process.  In  attending  to  this 
duty  I  was  aided  and  assisted  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
territory.  I  recollect  that  the  names  of  Mr.  Highland 
and  Mr.  Fletcher  were  two  of  the  persons  against 
whom  process  was  instituted,  who  resided  between 
the  Indian  Stream  and  what  is  now  called  Connecticut 
river. 

Hezekiah  Parsons. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  2,  1836. 
Then   Hezekiah   Parsons   personally   appeared   and 
made  oath  that  the  above  deposition,  by  him  signed,  is 
true.     Before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Ira  Young 

I,  Ira  Young  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of  Coos 
and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  attorney  and  counsellor 
at  law,  depose  and  say  that  in  the  year  1819  I  opened 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  219 

an  office  at  Colebrook,  remained  until  1820  or  1821, 
when  I  removed  to  Bath,  and  in  1825  or  1826  returned 
again  to  Colebrook,  where  I  have  resided  ever  since. 
That  occasionally,  ever  since  1819,  I  have  made  writs 
and  other  processes  against  persons  residing  at  Indian 
Stream,  which  have  been  served  there  by  deputy 
sheriffs  of  Coos  county,  some  of  which  have  been  settled, 
and  upon  some  I  have  obtained  judgments  in  our 
courts.  That  from  1819,  until  within  one  or  two  years, 
I  never  heard  that  the  Canadian  or  British  govern- 
ment ever  laid  any  claim  to  jurisdiction  over  said 
territory,  or  that  any  of  the  residents  at  Indian  Stream 
claimed  to  be  within  their  jurisdiction.  The  majority 
of  the  population  there,  during  the  most  of  that  time, 
was  composed  of  individuals  who  had  gone  there  to 
avoid  debts,  or,  being  pressed  for  the  payment  of  them, 
claiming  at  Indian  Stream  sometimes  to  be  within  the 
state  of  Vermont,  sometimes  in  the  state  of  Maine, 
sometimes  without  any  state,  and  to  be  in  a  territory 
belonging  to  the  United  States,  and  solely  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  and  sometimes  to  be 
independent,  as  not  being  within  the  territory  of  the 
United  States,  or  of  the  province  or  provinces  of  the 
British  government.  In  October,  1831,  proceedings 
were  instituted,  in  which  I  was  counsel,  under  our 
statute  "to  provide  for  the  maintenance  of  bastard 
children, "  in  the  name  of  one  Melissa  Thurston  of  said 
Indian  Stream,  against  Moody  Haynes  of  said  Indian 
Stream,  in  which  the  said  Melissa  charged  the  said 
Moody  Haynes  of  being  the  father  of  the  child  of  which 
she  was  then  pregnant,  and  that  it  was  begotten  in 
April,  1831,  at  said  Indian  Stream.  The  said  Haynes 
was  arrested  and  bound  over  to  appear  at  the  court  of 
common  pleas,  Coos  county,  September  term,  1832, 
at  which  term  Haynes  appeared  and  pleaded  to  the 


220  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

jurisdiction  of  said  court,  because  the  cause  of  com- 
plaint accrued  to  the  said  MeHssa  "at  Indian  Stream, 
and  on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river  in  the  terri- 
tory of  Indian  Stream,"  without  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  court,  &c.  The  complainant  replied  that  the  cause 
of  complaint  accrued  within  the  county  of  Coos,  within 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  court,  &c.  The  prosecution 
was  pending  until  the  old  court  of  common  pleas  was 
abolished,  and  the  present  court  established,  and  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  present  court  of  common  pleas 
sustained  by  the  concurrence,  as  I  understood,  of  the 
judges  of  the  superior  court,  and  before  the  term  for 
which  the  prosecution  stood  for  trial  the  same  was 
settled  by  the  parties  and  dismissed.  The  plea  to  the 
jurisdiction  was  overruled  on  the  ground  that,  years 
before,  the  question  had  been  settled  in  the  superior 
court  sustaining  the  jurisdiction. 

Ira  Young. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  6,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  William  M.  Smith 

I,  William  M.  Smith  of  Stewartstown  in  the  county 
of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  on  the  26th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1834,  I  was  duly 
appointed  a  deputy  sheriff  of  said  county  by  John  H. 
White,  Esq.,  sheriff  of  said  county;  that  about  the  last 
of  September  or  the  first  October,  A.  D.  1835,  a  writ  in 
favor  of  William  Buckminster  of  Danville,  Vt.,  against 
John  H.  Tyler  of  Indian  Stream  in  said  county  of  Coos, 
was  delivered  to  me.  I  accordingly  went  to  the  resi- 
dence of  said  Tyler  for  the  purpose  of  making  service  of 
said  writ,  having  previously  procured  Richard  I.  Blan- 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  221 

chard  and  John  Milton  Harvey  to  go  with  me,  both 
because  I  did  not  know  said  Tyler  when  I  saw  him,  and 
also  because  I  had  heard  that  there  had  been  some 
difficulties  at  the  place,  and  some  of  the  inhabitants 
had  threatened  resistance  to  any  officer  who  should 
attempt  to  serve  process  there.  I  went  to  said  Tyler's 
dwelling  house  first,  and  not  finding  him  at  home  I 
proceeded  farther  to  a  farm  where  said  Tyler  was  at 
work,  and  arrested  him  by  virtue  of  said  writ,  having 
previously  requested  him  to  show  me  property,  which 
he  declined  doing.  As  I  was  proceeding  with  said 
Tyler  in  my  custody,  we  were  met  by  Emor  Applebee 
and  two  of  his  sons,  Alanson  Cummings,  and  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Tyler,  whose  Christian  name  I  do  not 
know,  Jonathan  C.  L.  Ejiights,  and  two  more  whose 
names  I  do  not  know,  all  stopped  by  the  side  of  the 
road  where  I  must  necessarily  pass  with  Tyler.  At  the 
request  of  Tyler,  my  prisoner,  I  also  stopped  where  these 
men  were,  and  I  was  very  soon  told  I  must  go  no  further 
with  said  Tyler,  and  after  being  told  by  all  or  most  of 
the  party  that  Tyler  should  be  carried  no  farther  by 
me,  and  that  they  would  protect  him  from  me  even  at 
the  cost  of  their  lives,  I  was,  upon  attempting  to  take 
said  Tyler  along  with  me,  forcibly  prevented  by  said 
Emor  Applebee,  who  interposed  himself  between  me 
and  my  prisoner,  aided  and  countenanced  as  aforesaid 
by  the  company  with  him  as  aforesaid,  and  thereupon 
I  left  them,  and  made  a  return  of  said  writ  to  the  court 
when  and  where  the  same  was  returnable,  with  a  return 
of  my  doings  on  the  same,  stating  the  facts  precisely 
as  they  occurred.  Immediately  after  said  Tyler  was 
rescued  from  me  in  the  manner  above  related,  I  informed 
John  H.  White,  Esq.,  sheriff  of  said  county,  of  all  the 
facts,  and,  by  his  advice,  I  offered  a  reward  of  five  dollars 
for  the  apprehension  of  said  Tyler,  and  delivery  to  me 


222  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

or  to  the  Lancaster  jail,  by  an  advertisement.  Not 
long  after  this  I  heard  that  said  Blanchard  had  been 
taken  from  his  home  by  some  people  from  Canada,  and 
that  they  were  then  carrying  him  to  Canada.  This 
report  was  generally  spread  through  the  neighborhood, 
and  produced  great  excitement  and  indignation,  and 
a  pretty  general  turn-out  of  the  citizens  for  his  rescue. 
I,  among  the  number,  turned  out,  and  so  far  as  I  could 
learn  or  understand  the  feeling  of  those  who  came  out, 
there  was  a  settled  and  inflexible  determination  to 
rescue  said  Blanchard  at  even  the  extremest  hazard. 
When  I  arrived  at  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in 
Canaan,  Vermont,  not  being  armed,  myself,  I  gave  up 
my  horse  to  an  individual  who  was  armed,  who  pro- 
ceeded immediately  towards  Canada  in  the  direction 
that  those  who  had  Blanchard  in  custody  must  neces- 
sarily pass.  In  about  an  hour  after  I  had  thus  given 
up  my  horse,  the  party  returned  with  said  Blanchard. 
Some  one  then  remarked  to  me  that  said  John  H. 
Tyler  was  with  the  party  who  had  said  Blanchard  in 
custody,  and  that  if  I  had  been  with  them  I  might  have 
retaken  him.  Some  one  then  asked  me  for  an  adver- 
tisement of  said  Tyler,  but  I  had  none  with  me,  but 
had  one  written  immediately,  which  they  took,  and  a 
party  then  started  from  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy 
for  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of  retaking  said  Tyler  as 
they  stated.  I  did  not  hear  Alexander  Rea's  name 
mentioned  in  connection  with  this  party  going  to  Can- 
ada until  after  they  returned  with  him  in  their  custody, 
said  Tyler  being  the  sole  object  of  pursuit.  The  indi- 
vidual to  whom  I  gave  the  advertisement  was  Capt. 
James  Mooney. 

Wm.  M.  Smith. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Cobs,  ss.   August  3,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  223 

Deposition  of  Milton  Harvey 

I,  Milton  Harvey  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  in  April,  1833,  I  was  appointed  by  John  H.  White, 
Esq.,  a  deputy  sheriff  for  the  county  of  Coos.  That  in 
1834  I  served  a  warrant  in  Indian  Stream  Territory  on 
a  person  residing  there,  by  the  name  of  Burrill,  for  an 
offence  alleged  to  have  been  committed  there,  brought 
him  to  Colebrook  for  examination.  No  resistance  was 
made.  I  went  there  in  1835  to  serve  several  writs 
on  inhabitants  of  said  territory.  It  was  in  February 
or  March  of  that  year.  Resistance  was  then  made 
to  my  serving  writs  by  attaching  property.  The  per- 
sons against  whom  I  had  process,  and  others  accom- 
panying them,  claimed  to  be  independent,  to  be  an 
independent  government  not  belonging  to  the  govern- 
ments of  Great  Britain  or  the  United  States,  inde- 
pendent of  either  until  the  line  was  settled.  I  was  in 
company  with  William  M.  Smith  when  he  arrested 
John  H.  Tyler,  and  when  said  Tyler  was  rescued  from 
his  custody  by  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian 
Stream  Territory,  they  then  claiming  to  belong,  and  that 
Indian  Stream  Territory  belonged  to  the  province  of 
Lower  Canada.  I  have  no  recollection  of  ever  having 
heard,  before  that,  that  said  inhabitants  claimed  to 
belong  to  the  province  of  Lower  Canada,  or  that  the 
Canadian  people  or  government  claimed  any  juris- 
diction over  said  territory  and  inhabitants.  In  Octo- 
ber last,  when  Richard  I.  Blanchard  was  taken  and 
carried  from  Indian  Stream  Settlement  by  a  party  of 
Canadians  and  others,  I  went  in  company  with  Ephraim 
H.  Mahurin  and  others,  for  the  purpose  of  rescuing  said 
Blanchard.  He  was  rescued  and  brought  back  to 
Canaan  Corner,  Vt.  The  carrying  away  said  Blanchard 
was  considered  a  very  great  outrage,  and  the  people 


224  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

collected  for  his  rescue  were  very  indignant  and  very 
considerably  excited,  and  expressed  a  determination 
to  rescue  him  if  possible.  After  our  return  to  Parmelee 
&  Joy's  in  Canaan,  a  party  started  from  there  to  go  and 
take  John  H.  Tyler,  who  had  been  arrested  by  William 
M.  Smith,  and  rescued  as  I  have  before  stated.  Smith 
offered  five  dollars  reward  for  his  apprehension  and 
delivery  to  him.  I  did  not  hear  the  name  of  Alexander 
Rea  mentioned  in  connection  with  said  party  going  to 
Canada,  nor  did  I  hear  any  reward  offered  by  any  in- 
dividual for  bringing  said  Rea  out,  nor  did  I  hear  any 
wish  or  intention  expressed  that  said  Rea  should  be 
brought  out,  nor  did  I  know  of  any  such  attention,  nor 
do  I  believe  any  existed  at  the  time  said  party  started 
after  said  Tyler.  I  left  Canaan  before  said  party 
returned. 

Milton  Harvey. 

Coos,  ss.     August    8,    1836.     Personally   appearing 
Milton  Harvey,  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the  above 
deposition,  by  him  subscribed,  is  true.     Before  me, 
Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Richard  I.  Blanchard 

I,  Richard  I.  Blanchard  of  Indian  Stream  in  the 
county  of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose 
and  say  that  about  the  twelfth  day  of  October,  A.  D. 
1835,  William  M.  Smith,  a  deputy  sheriff  of  Coos 
county,  came  to  me  and  told  me  he  had  a  writ 
against  John  H.  Tyler  of  this  place,  and  he  did  not 
know  the  man,  and  he  wanted  me  to  go  with  him  and 
show  him  said  Tyler,  which  I  accordingly  did.  Soon 
after  this,  to  wit,  on  the  22nd  day  of  the  same  October, 
Zebulon  Flanders,  Zaccheus  Clough,  and  John  H.  Tyler 
came  to  my  house  armed   with  one  musket  between 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

them,  and  told  me  they  had  a  warrant  against  me.  I 
asked  them  by  what  authority.  They  answered 
"the  King's."  I  asked  said  Clough  who  appeared  to 
be  the  chief  man  of  the  party,  if  he  would  read  said 
warrant  to  me  and  he  replied  yes,  and  attempted  to 
read  it,  but  was  unable  to  do  it,  and  I  asked  him  to  let 
me  have  it,  and  he  did  hand  it  to  me,  but  before  I  had 
read  it  said  Flanders  took  it  from  me,  and  the  party 
started  with  me,  and  were  occasionally  joined  by 
others,  so  that  by  the  time  I  was  rescued,  the  party 
having  custody  of  me  amounted  to  twelve  or  fifteen. 
When  I  was  within  about  a  mile  of  the  house  of  Alex- 
ander Rea,  to  which  place  I  understood  they  were 
conveying  me,  we  were  met  by  a  party  of  about  eight 
men  from  New  Hampshire  on  horseback,  all  or  most 
of  them  armed,  and  they  demanded  my  release  from 
the  party  having  custody  of  me,  which  was  refused, 
but  after  some  further  talk  the  party  from  New  Hamp- 
shire resolutely  demanding  my  release,  I  was  at  length 
released,  without  any  force  being  used  on  either  side, 
and  I  went  with  the  party  down  to  the  store  of  Parmelee 
&  Joy  in  Canaan,  Vermont. 

I  am  a  deputy  of  the  sheriff  of  Coos  county,  and  was 
at  the  time  of  my  said  abduction.  I  have  lived  at  this 
place  about  fiftefen  years,  and  never  knew  or  heard  of 
the  British  government  exercising  or  claiming  to  exer- 
cise any  jurisdiction  here  till  some  time  last  year,  when 
Alexander  Rea  began  to  claim  that  the  territory  be- 
longed to  Canada,  and  on  that  ground  began  sending 
his  warrants  into  the  settlement. 

Richard  I.  Blanchard. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.    August  11,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

15 


226  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

Deposition  of  Miles  Hurlhurt 

I,  Miles  Hurlburt  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  some  time  in  the  month  of  October,  A.  D.  1835, 
Clark  J.  Haynes  of  Indian  Stream  came  to  my  house 
in  Clarksville,  where  I  then  lived,  and  told  me  that 
some  of  the  Canadians  had  been  over  and  taken  Richard 
I.  Blanchard,  and  were  carrying  him  to  Canada,  and 
he  wanted  me  to  take  my  gun  with  me  and  go  and  help 
rescue  him  from  them.  Said  Haynes  then  went  on 
towards  Colebrook  village,  as  I  understood  from  him  at 
the  time,  for  the  purpose  of  notifying  the  citizens  on 
the  road  of  the  outrage  that  had  been  committed  in 
the  abduction  of  one  of  our  citizens.  I  immediately 
started,  taking  with  me  my  gun,  powder  and  balls,  and 
I  was  joined  by  Joseph  P.  Wiswell  and  John  Harriman, 
who  were  on  horseback,  and  both  armed,  as  I  think, 
with  horseman's  pistols. 

We  all  three  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Ebenezer 
Fletcher  in  Indian  Stream,  and  immediately  before  we 
arrived  there  we  were  joined  by  Joseph  Wiswell,  Esq., 
and  when  we  arrived  at  said  Fletcher's  we  found  there 
Ephraim  Aldrich,  Oliver  Washburn,  and  a  son  of  said 
Richard  I.  Blanchard,  whose  name  I  do  not  know, 
being  a  lad  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  who  had  been 
employed  in  alarming  the  neighborhood  and  requesting 
them  to  turn  out  and  rescue  his  father,  and  a  number 
of  others  whose  names  I  do  not  now  recollect.  There 
were  about  six  of  us  who  went  from  said  Fletcher's, 
and  we  proceeded  about  four  or  five  miles  to  the  house 
of  John  Parker  in  Indian  Stream,  where  we  stopped  and 
consulted  what  was  best  to  do.  We  then  and  there 
concluded  to  send  our  arms  back  to  said  Ebenezer 
Fletcher's,  which  we  did,  by  Joseph  Wiswell,  Esq.,  who 
took  them  all,  assisted  by  two  or  three  others  who  went 


THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  227 

back  with  him.  We  then,  viz.,  OHver  Washburn,  Eph- 
raim  Aldrich,  John  Harriman,  Joseph  P.  Wiswell,  Blan- 
chard's  young  son  before  mentioned,  and  myself,  went 
on  to  the  house  of  Barnard  Young  in  Hereford,  where 
we  found  said  Blanchard  in  the  custody  of  said  Young, 
at  his  house  taking  dinner.  The  party  at  said  Young's 
who  had  the  custody  of  said  Blanchard  consisted  of 
said  Barnard  Young,  Zaccheus  Clough,  Zebulon  Flan- 
ders, a  Mr.  Prouty,  whose  Christian  name  I  do  not  know, 
David  Smith,  and  several  others  whose  names  I  do  not 
know,  amounting  in  the  whole  to  about  twelve.  We 
concluded  that  we  were  not  then  strong  enough  to 
rescue  said  Blanchard.  After  the  party  had  finished 
taking  dinner,  we  asked  and  obtained  liberty  to  speak 
with  said  Blanchard,  and  then  suggested  to  him  that 
if  he  had  a  mind  to  attempt  his  escape  we  would  inter- 
pose, and  endeavor  to  prevent  the  Canadian  party  from 
making  pursuit  after  him;  but  he  thought,  as  the  Cana- 
dian party  was  then  so  much  the  strongest,  it  would 
be  of  no  use  to  attempt  an  escape,  for  that  it  would  be 
fruitless,  and  so  the  idea  was  abandoned. 

The  party  having  Blanchard  then  proceeded  on  their 
way,  while  we  tarried  behind  feigning  that  we  did  not 
intend  to  proceed  any  farther,  though  at  the  same  time 
we  had  determined  to  go  around  another  way  from  the 
one  which  they  travelled,  and  intercept  them  before 
they  reached  the  house  of  one  Alexander  Rea,  where 
we  understood  from  said  party  they  were  carrying  said 
Blanchard,  provided  we  were  fortunate  enough  to  be 
joined  by  a  force  from  New  Hampshire  strong  enough 
to  make  our  interference  effectual.  We  were  met  be- 
fore we  got  to  Canaan  Corner  (which  lay  upon  the  rout 
we  were  taking)  by  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin  and  Hiram 
A.  Fletcher,  Esqs.,  who  both  joined  our  party,  and  soon 
after  by  many  more,  and  when  we  arrived  at  Canaan 


228  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

Corner  I  should  judge  there  were  nearly  one  hundred 
men  assembled,  most  of  them  armed,  this  being  at  the 
store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy.  There  were  about  eight  of 
us  who  started  from  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy  to  go 
after  Blanchard,  all  on  horseback  and  all  armed.  This 
party  consisted  of  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin,  John  Milton 
Harvey,  Joseph  P.  Wiswell,  James  Minor  Hilliard, 
Horatio  Tuttle,  Thomas  B.  Blodgett,  Samuel  Weeks, 
Jr., and  myself.  There  were  many  more  who  had  started 
and  were  close  at  hand,  and  others  who  had  gone  round 
another  way  by  the  house  of  said  Rea.  When  we  came 
up  with  the  party  who  had  said  Blanchard  in  posses- 
sion, James  M.  Hilliard  rode  up  to  them  first,  and  I  did 
not  hear  precisely  what  he  said,  but  understood  at  the 
time  that  he  demanded  of  them  to  give  up  Blanchard, 
which  they  declined  doing,  we  all  then  rode  up  and 
commanded  them  to  stand.  This  order  was  given  by 
Ephraim  H.  Mahurin  or  Horatio  Tuttle,  I  cannot  say 
which.  At  this  most  of  the  party  stopped,  but  some 
of  them  appeared  to  be  moving  towards  the  woods, 
when  said  Horatio  Tuttle  said,  "Stand,  or  God  damn 
you  I'll  blow  you  through."  They  then  all  stopped, 
and  Mr.  Mahurin  dismounted  and  went  among  the 
party  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  them  by  persuasion 
to  release  Blanchard,  which  they  declined  doing,  Mr. 
Prouty  keeping  his  arm  locked  in  Blanchard's.  After 
some  further  conversation  between  the  two  parties  we 
demanded  Blanchard,  and  they  refusing  to  give  him  up, 
Mr.  Mahurin  went  up  to  him  and  told  him  to  get  on  to 
his  horse,  which  he  did,  Prouty  keeping  his  hold  of 
him  till  he  put  his  foot  in  the  stirrup  to  mount  Mr. 
Mahurin's  horse,  and  then  we  all  went  off  with  said 
Blanchard  down  to  Canaan  Corner  in  Vermont,  at  the 
store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy.  While  we  were  at  the  store 
of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in  Canaan  something  was  said  by 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  229 

some  one  about  retaking  from  Canada  one  John  H. 
Tyler,  who  had  previously  been  arrested  by  one  William 
Smith,  a  deputy  sheriff  of  Coos  county,  and  rescued 
from  him  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream, 
and  for  whose  apprehension  said  Smith  had  offered  a 
reward  of  five  dollars  by  advertisement,  which  adver- 
tisement was  then  shown  to  me  by  said  Smith.  Eph- 
raim  C.  Aldrich  and  myself  then  started  for  Canada, 
having  with  us  said  advertisement,  and  honestly  sup- 
posing that  we  had  an  undoubted  right  to  retake  said 
Tyler,  such  being  the  state  of  the  facts,  in  any  place 
where  we  might  find  him.  We  had  not  at  that  time 
the  most  remote  idea  of  meddling  with  or  molesting 
Alexander  Rea,  or  any  other  individual  whomsoever 
except  said  John  H.  Tyler.  Said  Tyler  was  one  of  the 
party,  as  upon  reflection  I  now  remember,  who  had 
said  Blanchard  in  custody  when  we  rescued  him.  When 
we  had  got  over  the  dividing  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  and  about  in  sight  of  Alexander 
Rea's  house,  we  met  John  Parker  coming  from  the 
direction  of  said  Rea's  house  towards  Canaan  Corner. 
Said  Parker  stopped  of  his  own  accord  and  entered  into 
a  conversation  with  said  Aldrich,  not  the  least  force 
being  used  or  threatened  by  any  one.  While  said  Al- 
drich and  said  Parker  were  thus  peaceably  talking,  I 
saw  Alexander  Rea  coming  towards  us  as  fast  as  he 
could  come,  hallooing  and  bellowing  in  the  most  boister- 
ous manner  imaginable,  more  like  a  madman  enraged 
than  any  reasonable  being,  commanding  us  to  be  off 
the  King's  highway,  and  the  next  moment  to  be  off  his 
grounds.  Seeing  him  come  upon  us  in  this  manner, 
and  accompanied  by  about  twelve  or  fourteen  men, 
whom  he  was  calling  upon  to  make  prisoners  of  Aldrich 
and  myself,  I  requested  Elisha  A.  Tirrell,  who  had  just 
joined  us,  to  ride  back  till  he  met  others  of  our  party 


230  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

and  ask  them  to  come  on.  I  then  presented  my  pistol 
to  said  Rea  and  told  him  to  keep  his  proper  distance, 
for  I  should  not  be  taken  by  him,  for  if  he  came  any 
nearer  he  should  take  the  contents  of  my  pistol.  Said 
Aldrich  then  spoke  and  said  to  Mr.  Rea,  "I  should 
advise  you  not  to  go  any  farther,  for  he  may  hurt  you." 
Rea  then  turned  towards  said  Aldrich  and  ordered 
Barnard  Young  to  take  said  Aldrich's  horse  by  the 
bridle,  and  upon  Young  and  Rea  attempting  to  take 
Aldrich  he  defended  himself  with  his  sword.  Imme- 
diately upon  this  Rea  and  the  party  with  him  com- 
menced throwing  stones  as  rapidly  and  as  violently  as 
possible,  two  of  which  hit  me  with  great  force,  when  I 
discharged  the  pistol  which  I  had  with  me,  and  not 
before,  at  the  assailants.  In  firing  my  pistol  I  did  not 
aim  at  any  one  in  particular,  and  did  not  think  of  hit- 
ting any  one,  but  I  did  it  more  for  the  purpose  of  fright- 
ening them.  About  this  time  there  were  thirty  or 
forty  more  of  the  party  which  I  left  at  Parmelee  &  Joy's 
store  came  in  sight,  when  said  Rea  and  those  with 
him  immediately  took  flight,  Rea  running  for  the  woods 
and  Aldrich  after  him.  When  I  came  up  with  Aldrich 
and  Rea,  Aldrich  had  Rea  down,  Aldrich  having  one 
hand  hold  of  the  collar  of  Rea's  coat,  and  one  hand 
hold  of  the  hilt  of  his  sword,  and  Rea  having  hold  with 
both  his  hands  of  the  blade  of  Aldrich's  sword,  with 
the  point  of  it  sticking  into  the  ground,  and  Aldrich 
was  kicking  Rea  in  the  side.  When  I  came  up  Rea 
was  saying  "I  surrender,"  and  Aldrich  replied,  "Then, 
God  damn  you,  let  go  the  sword  and  I  will  let  you 
alone."  Dr.  Tirrell  at  the  same  time  came  up  and  re- 
marked to  Aldrich,  "  He  says  he  surrenders.  Why  don't 
you  let  him  get  up.''"  Aldrich  again  replied,  "If  he  will 
let  go  the  sword  I  will,"  And  Dr.  Tirrell  remarked  to 
Rea,  "If  you  will  let  go  the  sword  I  will  guarantee  that 


THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  231 

Aldrich  will  not  hurt  you,"  whereupon  Rea  let  go  the 
sword,  and  Aldrich  let  him  get  up,  and  we  took  him  and 
put  him  into  the  wagon  and  carried  him  down  to  the 
store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in  Vermont.  While  this  skir- 
mish was  carried  on  I  heard  four  or  five  guns  fired, 
one  of  which  I  fired,  as  before  stated.  Who  fired  the 
others  I  cannot  tell,  for  I  do  not  know.  I  have  heard 
it  was  stated  by  said  Alexander  Rea  and  some  others 
that  said  Aldrich  and  myself  stopped  one  or  more  peo- 
ple in  the  road  before  he  came  up  to  us  in  the  manner 
before  stated.  I  now,  upon  due  reflection,  solemnly 
depose  and  say  that  we  did  not  stop  or  attempt  to  stop 
any  one  by  word  or  deed,  or  threat  of  any  kind,  until 
we  were  assaulted  by  Alexander  Rea  and  the  party 
with  him  in  the  manner  above  stated. 

Miles  Hurlburt. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  5,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Ephraim  C.  Aldrich 

I,  Ephraim  C.  Aldrich  of  Indian  Stream,  depose  and 
say  that  about  the  22d  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1835,  I 
was  informed  that  a  party  from  Canada  had  been  over 
the  line  and  taken  Richard  I.  Blanchard,  one  of  our 
citizens,  and  were  carrying  him  to  Canada;  upon  this 
I  turned  out  for  the  purpose  of  rescuing  him,  as  did 
the  inhabitants  of  this  place  and  the  neighboring  towns 
generally.  I  was  not  with  the  party  who  rescued  said 
Blanchard,  having  gone  on  the  same  purpose  in  another 
direction.  •  After  said  Blanchard  was  rescued  and 
brought  back  to  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in 
Canaan,  Vermont,  Miles  Hurlburt  and  myself  left  said 
store  and  started  for  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of  retak- 


232  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

ing  one  John  H.  Tyler,  who  had  previously  been  arrested 
by  one  William  M.  Smith,  a  deputy  sheriff  of  Coos 
county,  and  rescued  from  him  by  a  mob  at  Indian 
Stream.  At  the  time  we  thus  started  after  said  Tyler 
we  had  with  us  an  advertisement  of  said  Smith  for  said 
Tyler,  and  we  supposed  we  had  an  undoubted  right  to 
retake  said  Tyler  wherever  we  might  find  him.  We 
had  not  the  most  remote  idea  of  taking  Alexander  Rea, 
or  any  one  else  except  said  Tyler,  nor  in  any  way  mo- 
lesting or  meddling  with  them.  When  we  had  got  into 
Canada,  and  were  peaceably  talking  with  one  John 
Parker,  not  having  offered  or  threatened  or  intended 
any  violence,  by  action,  word,  or  gesture,  we  were  vio- 
lently assaulted  by  said  Alexander  Rea  in  the  manner 
testified  by  Miles  Hurlburt.  Rea  and  Young  both 
came  to  me,  took  my  horse  by  the  bridle,  and  attempted 
to  make  a  prisoner  of  me.  After  commanding  them  to 
let  me  alone  and  let  go  my  horse,  which  they  would  not 
do,  I  drew  my  sword  and  struck  Young  with  it,  and 
immediately  thereupon  said  Alexander  Rea  threw  at 
me  a  large  stone  weighing,  as  I  should  judge,  eight  or 
ten  pounds,  which  hit  me  on  the  head  near  my  right 
eye,  and  broke  the  bone  at  the  corner  of  my  eye. 

It  has  been  stated  and  sworn  by  said  Alexander  Rea 
and  some  others,  as  I  am  informed,  that  said  Hurlburt 
and  myself  stopped  some  people  in  the  road  before  said 
Rea  came  up  to  us  as  aforesaid.  I  solemnly  depose 
and  say  that  said  statement,  by  whomsoever  it  is  made, 
is  absolutely  and  totally  false  in  every  particular. 
We  stopped  no  one,  nor  did  we  attempt  or  intend  to 
stop  any  one,  till  we  were  assaulted  by  said  Rea  and 
Young  as  aforesaid. 

E.  C.  Aldrich. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  11, 1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


THE   INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  233 

Deposition  of  James  M.  Hilliard 

I,  James  M.  Hilliard  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  husbandman,  de- 
pose and  say  that  sometime  about  the  last  of  October, 

A.  D.  1835,  Asa  Parker  of  Indian  Stream  Settlement 
came  to  my  house  and  informed  me  that  Richard  I. 
Blanchard  of  said  Indian  Stream  Settlement  had  that 
morning  been  taken  from  his  house  by  some  people 
from  Canada,  and  that  they  were  then  conveying  him, 
said  Blanchard,  to  Sherbrooke  in  said  Canada,  and  that 
he  wanted  me  to  go  and  help  release  said  Blanchard. 
I  at  first  declined,  but  after  he  left  I  concluded  to  go, 
got  my  horse,  and  started  in  company  with  Samuel 
Weeks,  Jr.,  of  said  Colebrook,  Horatio  Tuttle  of  said 
Colebrook,  and  Luther  Parker  of  Indian  Stream.  After 
proceeding  about  two  miles  we  were  joined  by  Thomas 

B.  Blodgett  and  Thomas  Piper,  both  of  Stewartstown 
in  said  county  of  Coos.  We  all  proceeded  together  to 
Canaan  in  Vermont,  to  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy, 
where  we  tarried  a  short  time,  and  said  Thomas  B. 
Blodgett  rode  on  towards  Indian  Stream,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  returned  in  company  with  John  M.  Harvey, 
and  told  us  that  the  Canadians  had  Blanchard  in  their 
custody,  and  were  to  pass  over  Hereford  hill  about 
two  miles  distant  from  the  store  where  we  then  were, 
and  that  we  should  probably  meet  them  at  the  hill 
if  we  rode  there  immediately.  Said  Blodgett  rode  by 
towards  Hereford  hill  without  making  any  stop  at  the 
store,  and  called  upon  us  to  follow  him,  and  myself, 
said  Samuel  Weeks,  Jr.,  Thomas  Piper,  Horatio  Tuttle, 
and  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin  followed  after  said  Blodgett. 
When  we  came  up  with  the  party  who  had  possession 
of  said  Blanchard  I  was  in  advance  of  the  party  a  few 
rods,  and  rode  up  to  those  who  had  the  custody  of  said 
Blanchard,  and  asked  them  if  thev  had  not  got  Blan- 


234  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

chard,  our  sheriff;  one  of  the  party  answered  that  they 
had,  they  had  a  warrant  against  him  as  one  of  the  King's 
subjects.  I  answered  that  that  was  not  the  case,  he 
was  a  citizen  of  this  state,  and  that  they  had  no  right 
with  him.  They  rephed  that  he  was  taken  by  them 
on  the  soil  of  Canada.  To  which  they  were  answered 
that  he  was  taken  from  our  state,  that  he  was  one  of 
our  officers,  that  they  had  nothing  to  do  with  him,  and 
they  must  give  him  up.  They  repKed  that  they  should 
not  give  him  up.  I  told  them  he  must  be  given  up 
peaceably  or  we  should  take  him.  Ephraim  H.  Mahu- 
rin  then  told  them  that  we  did  not  wish  for  any  diffi- 
culty or  disturbance,  but  we  must  have  their  prisoner, 
and  thereupon  dismounted  and  went  along  to  Blan- 
chard,  took  hold  of  him,  and  told  him  to  get  on  to  his 
(Mahurin's)  horse,  at  the  same  time  leading  him  along 
to  his  horse,  the  Canadians  holding  on  to  him  till  he 
got  to  the  horse,  when  they  let  go  their  hold,  and  Blan- 
chard  mounted  the  horse  and  rode  off.  Our  party  had 
previously  been  joined  by  Miles  Hurlburt  and  Joseph 
P.  Wis  well,  but  Luther  Parker  had  not  gone  with  us 
farther  than  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy.  This  was 
all  the  violence  that  was  offered  or  threatened  to  any  of 
the  party  who  had  the  custody  of  Blanchard,  except 
some  threats  made  use  of  by  one  Horatio  Tuttle,  which 
were  promptly  discountenanced  by  said  E.  H.  Mahurin 
and  myself,  the  remainder  of  the  party  saying  nothing. 
We  then  returned  to  the  store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy  with 
said  Blanchard.  After  we  had  been  at  the  store  of 
said  Parmelee  &  Joy  about  an  hour  or  an  hour  and  a 
half,  it  was  proposed  by  some  one  to  go  over  on  to  the 
Canadian  side  and  take  one  Tyler,  who  had  previously 
been  arrested  by  one  William  M.  Smith,  a  deputy  sheriff 
of  Coos  county,  and  had  made  his  escape  into  Canada, 
a  reward  having  been  offered  for  his  apprehension  by 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  235 

said  William  M.  Smith  by  advertisement.  To  this 
proposition  I  replied  that  they  had  better  not  go,  Mr. 
Mahurin  having  left  the  store  for  his  home  previously, 
and  I  tried  all  I  could  to  persuade  them  not  to  go,  but 
they  went,  and  after  having  been  absent  about  an  hour 
they  returned  bringing  with  them,  not  said  Tyler,  but 
one  Alexander  Rea.  There  were  none  who  went  on  this 
last  expedition  after  Tyler,  and  returned  with  Rea, 
that  were  with  us  when  we  took  Blanehard,  except 
Miles  Hurlburt  and  Joseph  P.  Wiswell,  I  further  de- 
pose and  say  that  I  never  heard  Rea's  name  mentioned 
in  connection  with  this  party  going  into  Canada  till 
after  they  returned  with  him  in  their  possession,  Tyler 
being,  as  I  understood,  the  sole  object  of  pursuit. 

James  M.  Hilliard. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  1,  1836. 
Then  said  James  M.  Hilliard  personally  appeared 
and  made  oath  that  the  above  deposition,  by  him  sub- 
scribed, is  true.     Before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Josiah  Parmelee 

I,  Josiah  Parmelee  of  Canaan  in  the  county  of  Essex 
and  state  of  Vermont,  depose  and  say  that  some  time 
in  October,  A.  D.  1835,  there  was  a  large  party  assem- 
bled in  my  store  in  said  Canaan,  who  had,  as  I  under- 
stood, been  over  to  Canada  and  rescued  one  Richard  I. 
Blanehard  from  the  Canadians,  who  had  taken  him 
from  Indian  Stream.  After  they  had  been  here  some 
time  it  was  proposed  by  some  one  to  go  and  retake  one 
John  H.  Tyler  from  Canada,  who  had  previously  been 
arrested  by  one  Wilham  Smith,  a  deputy  sheriff  of  Coos 
county,  and  rescued  from  said  Smith  by  some  of  the 


236  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

inhabitants  of  Canada  or  Indian  stream.  I  understood 
that  said  Smith  had  offered  a  reward  of  five  dollars  for 
the  apprehension  of  said  Tyler.  Accordingly  said 
party  started.  I  further  depose  and  say  that  the  name 
of  Alexander  Rea,  or  of  any  other  individual  except  said 
John  H.  Tyler,  was  not  mentioned  by  any  one  till  after 
they  returned,  having  said  Alexander  Rea  in  custody, 
said  Tyler  being  the  sole  object  of  their  pursuit.  I 
made  no  offer  of  any  reward  for  the  taking  of  said  Rea, 
nor  did  I  hear  any  one  else  offer  any  reward  for  him, 
nor  did  I  hear  his  name  mentioned  till  after  said  Rea 
was  brought  here. 

I  further  depose  and  say  that  I  am  well  acquainted 
with  Alexander  James  McKinnon  of  said  Canaan,  tailor, 
and  that  his  reputation  for  truth  is  notoriously  bad. 

JosiAH  Parmelee. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.     August  4,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  James  Mooney 

I,  James  Mooney  of  Stewartstown  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  in  the  year  1835  I  was  captain  of  the  sixth  com- 
pany of  the  24th  regiment  of  militia,  and  continued  to 
hold  said  office  till  June  of  the  present  year,  and  had 
command  of  the  detachment  of  said  regiment  stationed 
at  Indian  Stream  Territory  in  November,  1835,  which 
detachment  there  continued  till  February  18,  1836. 
On  the  twenty-first  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1835,  Clark 
J.  Haynes  came  to  my  house  and  notified  me  that  a 
mob  from  Canada  had  been  over  the  line  and  had  taken 
Richard  I.  Blanchard,  a  deputy  sheriff  of  said  county 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  237 

of  Coos,  and  were  then  carrying  him  to  Canada,  and 
that  said  Blanchard  wanted  me  to  raise  a  force  and 
rescue  him. 

I  asked  said  Haynes  if  he  knew  the  number  of  those 
who  had  Blanchard.     He  repHed  he  did  not.     I  then 
told  said  Haynes  that  I  was  not  the  proper  authority 
to  apply  to,  but  as  Col.  Young,  commander  of  the  regi- 
ment was  absent,  and  the  Lieut.-Col.  was  fifty  or  sixty 
miles  distant,  I  would  raise  what  force  I  could,  and  risk 
the   responsibility   of   rescuing   said   Blanchard.     The 
news  of  the  abduction  of  said  Blanchard  excited  very 
general  indignation  through  the  neighborhood,  and  I 
sent  word  to  those  residing  in  my  neighborhood  to  turn 
out;  said  Haynes  went  on  to  Colebrook  to  notify  the 
inhabitants  there,  and  request  them  to  turn  out.    There 
was   accordingly     a    very     general    turn-out,    and    a 
strong  determination  expressed  to  rescue  said  Blan- 
chard at  every  hazard.     I  was  not  present  when  said 
Blanchard  was  rescued,  but  I  first  saw  him  at  the  store 
of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in  Canaan,  Vermont,  or  that  imme- 
diate vicinity.     After  we  had  been  some  time  at  said 
store  there  was  some  talk   about   going  into  Canada 
again,  and  retaking  one  John  H.  Tyler,  who  was  said  to 
have  been  previously  arrested  by  one  William  M.  Smith, 
a  deputy  sheriff  of  said  county  of  Coos,  and  rescued 
from  him  by  a  mob  from  Indian  Stream.     There  was 
also  DB.  advertisement  of  said  Smith  shown  at  the  time, 
offering  a  reward  of  five  dollars  for  the  apprehension  of 
said  Tyler.     Accordingly  different  parties  left  the  said 
store,  and  went  to  Canada  after  said  Tyler.     There  was 
no  other  object  that  I  heard,  or  thought  of,  named  by 
any  of  those  who  then  went  into  Canada  except  the 
apprehension  of  said  Tyler.     The  idea  of  taking  Alex- 
ander Rea,  or  any  one  else  except  said  Tyler,  was  not, 
to  my  knowledge,  suggested  or  thought  of.     I  was  not 


238  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

with  the  party  that  took  said  Rea,  but  when  I  arrived 
there  I  saw  him  travelling  as  fast  as  he  well  could 
towards  the  woods,  and  Ephraim  C.  Aldrich  pursued 
him.  He  was  brought  from  the  woods  and  put  into 
a  wagon,  and  brought  down  to  Canaan  Corner  in  Ver- 
mont. I  was  not  at  this  time  in  the  employ  of  the 
state,  nor  in  the  exercise  of  any  military  command. 

The  only  times  when  I  ever  exercised  any  military 
command  in  my  life,  except  at  our  annual  company 
trainings  and  regimental  musters,  were  from  the  4th  to 
the  6th  of  Aug.,  A.  D.  1835,  both  inclusive,  having  been 
ordered  to  rendezvous  with  my  company  at  Stewarts- 
town  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  to  John  H.  White, 
Esq.,  sheriff  of  said  county,  such  assistance  as  might  be 
necessary  to  enable  him  to  serve  process  in  Indian 
Stream  Territory,  our  officers  having  been  of  late  re- 
sisted there,  and  more  serious  resistance  having  been 
threatened  after  the  interference  of  Alexander  Rea. 
The  other  occasion  subsequent  to  the  abduction  of  said 
Blanchard,  and  also  subsequent  to  the  time  said  Rea 
was  brought  to  Vermont  in  the  manner  above  related, 
when  I  was  stationed  at  said  Indian  Stream  in  command 
of  a  detachment  of  the  24th  N.  H.  militia,  as  before 
stated.  I  have  lived  in  Stewartstown  about  fifteen 
years,  and  never  knew  or  heard  of  any  other  authority 
claiming  to  have  jurisdiction  over  Indian  Stream  Terri- 
tory except  the  state  of  N.  H.,  till  after  I  understood 
that  some  time  in  the  year  1835  one  Alexander  Rea  had 
been  claiming  the  territory  as  belonging  to  Lower 
Canada. 

James  Mooney. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  8,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   KEPUBLIC  239 

Deposition  of  James  M.  Jewett 

I,  James  M.  Jewett  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say  that 
sometime  in  October,  1835,  information  was  given  at 
Colebrook  that  Richard  I.  Blanchard,  deputy  sheriff 
for  Coos  county,  had  been  taken  by  a  party  from 
Canada,  and  they  were  conveying  him  to  Sherbrooke. 
On  receiving  this  information  I  started  with  a  number  of 
individuals,  armed,  Hiram  A.  Fletcher,  Esq.,  being  one 
of  them,  to  go  and  rescue  said  Blanchard.  On  arriving 
at  Canaan,  Vt.,  a  number  of  persons  had  arrived  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  more  were  coming  in  every  moment. 
They  were  all  indignant  at  the  outrage,  and  expressed 
a  determination  to  retake  Blanchard  if  they  had  to 
pursue  him  to  Sherbrooke.  I  did  not  go  from  Canaan 
with  the  party,  but  remained  there  until  they  returned 
with  Blanchard,  at  which  time  a  great  number  of  people 
had  arrived,  and  more  were  coming  in. 

Some  of  the  party  that  rescued  Blanchard,  on  their 
return,  saw  William  M.  Smith,  and  told  him  if  he  had 
been  with  them  he  might  have  retaken  his  prisoner, 
Tyler.  I  had  understood  that  said  Smith  had  some 
time  before  arrested  said  Tyler  at  Indian  Stream,  and 
he  had  been  rescued  out  of  his  custody.  Smith  in 
answer  said,  if  any  one  would  take  and  bring  said  Tyler 
to  him  he  would  give  five  dollars.  I  was  informed  that 
an  advertisement  was  made  by  said  Smith  for  said  Tyler, 
and  a  party  started  after  Tyler. 

I  did  not  hear  any  one  offer  anything  as  a  reward  for 
bringing  Alex.  Rea  from  Canada,  nor  did  I  hear  any 
person  mention  any  wish  or  intention  to  go  after  said 
Rea,  nor  do  I  believe  that  any  of  the  party  thought  of 
it.  I  did  not  hear  his  name  mentioned  in  connection 
with  the  party  going  after  Tyler,  but  the  sole  object 
that  I  heard  mentioned,  or  that  I  thought  of,  was  their 
going  after  said  Tyler. 


240  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

When  the  party  returned,  having  said  Rea  in  custody, 
great  surprise  and  regret  was  expressed  by  the  people 
there  that  said  Rea  had  been  taken  and  brought  there, 
knowing  that  they  had  no  right  so  to  do;  and  Hiram  A. 
Fletcher,  with  whom  I  was  in  company,  on  being  applied 
to  to  make  out  some  papers  to  detain  said  Rea,  declin- 
ing having  anything  to  do  with  it,  told  them  they  had 
done  wrong,  had  gone  too  far,  and  that  they  had  no 
right  to  take  Rea  or  detain  him,  and  they  had  better 
get  out  of  the  scrape  the  best  they  could;  soon  after 
which  said  Fletcher  and  myself  left  for  home. 

James  M.  Jewett. 

Coos,  ss.     August  5,    1836.     Personally   appearing 
James  M.  Jewett  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the  fore- 
going deposition,  by  him  signed,  is  true.     Before  me, 
Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Hiram  A.  Fletcher 

I,  Hiram  A.  Fletcher  of  Colebrook  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  counsellor-at-law, 
depose  and  say  that  sometime  in  the  latter  part  of 
October,  A.  D.  1835,  one  Clark  J.  Haynes  of  Indian 
Stream  came  to  Colebrook,  where  I  then  and  now  reside, 
and  informed  that  Richard  I.  Blanchard  of  Indian 
Stream,  a  deputy  sheriff,  had  been  arrested  on  a  bench 
warrant,  or  a  warrant  issued  by  Alexander  Rea  of  Here- 
ford in  the  province  of  Lower  Canada,  Esquire,  and 
that  the  officer  and  his  assistants  were  taking  him  to 
Sherbrooke,  or  some  other  place  in  the  province,  for  trial, 
for  having  received  the  appointment  of,  and  assuming 
to  act  as  a  deputy  sheriff  at  Indian  Stream,  under  John 
H.  White,  Esquire,  sheriff  of  said  county  of  Coos. 

Said  Haynes  told  me  and  others  that  notice  had  been 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  241 

given  in  Clarksville  and  Stewartstown  of  the  arrest  of 
said  Blanchard,  and  that  a  great  many  had  gone  to 
rescue  him,  and  that  his  object  in  coming  to  Colebrook 
was  to  give  this  information. 

I  used  my  endeavors  to  raise  a  party  to  join  in  the 
pursuit.  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin,  Esq.,  Milton  Harvey,  a 
deputy  sheriff,  James  M.  Jewett,  Horatio  Tuttle,  and  I 
immediately  started  off.  We  were  all  armed  and  sup- 
plied with  ammunition.  Said  Mahurin  carried  a 
double-barrelled  gun,  Harvey  a  horse  pistol,  Jewett  a 
brace  of  pistols,  Tuttle  a  musket  and  bayonet,  and  I  a 
rifle.  We  went  up  the  river  road  through  Stewarts- 
town,  crossed  the  bridge  near  Canaan  Corner,  Vermont, 
and  then  took  the  road  leading  to  Indian  Stream,  sup- 
posing that  by  so  doing  we  should  meet  the  party 
having  Blanchard  in  custody  before  they  could  get  over 
Canada  line  with  him;  but  after  we  had  got  on  about 
half  a  mile  we  met  a  number  of  men  from  Clarksville 
and  Indian  Stream,  most  or  all  of  them  on  foot,  without 
fire-arms,  running  very  fast,  who  informed  us  that  they 
had  come  up  with  Blanchard,  but  could  not  rescue  him, 
as  the  party  having  him  in  custody  was  about  their 
number  and  armed;  that  they  had  crossed  Hall's  Stream 
with  him,  and  were  proceeding  on  towards  Esquire 
Rea's  as  fast  as  possible;  and  that  the  only  way  he  could 
be  retaken  would  be  by  going  back  to  Canaan  Corner, 
and  taking  a  road  which  intersects  with  the  road  they 
would  travel  in  going  from  Hall's  Stream  to  Mr.  Rea's, 
and  meet  them  on  the  road.  We  all  returned  to  Can- 
aan, and  there  we  divided,  a  part  of  those  on  foot  and 
in  carriages  went  up  the  road  leading  from  Canaan  to 
Canada,  and  those  mounted  went  north  in  an  old  road 
or  path  which  intersects  with  the  said  road  leading  from 
Hall's  Stream  to  said  Rea's.  It  was  at  or  near  this 
place  that  Blanchard  was  taken,  as  I  am  informed,  but 

16 


242  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

I  was  not  of  the  party  that  took  him.  I  came  up  with 
this  party  that  retook  Blanehard  before  they  had  re- 
turned to  Canaan  Corner;  but  on  which  side  of  Canada 
Hne  it  was  that  I  joined  them  I  neither  know  nor  care. 

When  we  got  back  to  Canaan  Corner  there  were  a 
great  many  people  assembled  from  Colebrook,  Stewarts- 
town,  Clarksville,  and  Indian  Stream,  and  a  great  many 
more  arrived  there  soon  afterwards.  Many  of  them 
were  armed  and  equipped  like  the  New  Hampshire 
militia.  So  far  as  I  could  judge  there  was  a  general 
rejoicing  that  Blanehard  had  been  retaken.  I  heard 
someone  say  to  William  M.  Smith,  then  a  deputy 
sheriff  of  Coos  county,  that  if  he  had  been  with  the 
partjT^  that  rescued  Blanehard  he  could  have  recaptured 
his  former  prisoner,  John  H.  Tyler,  who  had  been 
arrested  a  short  time  before  by  said  Smith'  at  Indian 
Stream,  and  was  rescued.  Smith  said  he  should  like  to 
get  him  if  he  could  without  exposing  himself,  or  some- 
thing to  that  effect.  I  think  he  then  offered  a  specific 
reward  for  him,  but  do  not  now  recollect  the  amount. 

It  was  suggested  that  the  officer  who  had  suffered 
Blanehard  to  be  rescued,  and  his  whole  party,  John  H. 
Tyler  among  the  rest,  had  gone  to  Esq.  Ilea's  to  con- 
dole with  that  functionary  on  the  solemn  occasion.  I 
was  then  called  to  supper,  and  whilst  I  was  at  the  table 
Joseph  Wiswell  of  Clarksville,  Esquire,  came  into  the 
room,  and  said  some  individuals  were  going  after  John 
H.  Tyler,  and  desired  me  to  write  an  advertisement  for 
said  Smith,  offering  a  reward.  I  told  him  I  came  away 
from  home  before  dinner  and  was  a  meal  behind  hand, 
and  could  not  then  stop  to  write  one,  but  stated  to  him 
what  I  thought  was  necessary  to  set  forth  in  the  adver- 
tisement, and  he  said  that  would  do;  he  could  write  it. 
After  supper  I  went  out  and  shot  at  a  mark  with  Gideon 
Tirrell,  Esq.,  James  M.  Hilliard,  and  others.     I  should 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  243 

think  we  were  engaged  in  this  amusement  about  an 
hour;  it  was  then  so  dark  we  could  not  well  see,  and  for 
that  reason  quit.  While  engaged  in  firing  at  a  mark 
I  heard  the  report  of  guns  in  the  direction  of  Mr.  Rea's, 
but  I  then  thought  they  could  not  be  so  far  off,  as  the 
distance  is  about  a  mile  and  a  half.  I  supposed  they 
were  discharged  to  prevent  those  accidents  that  might 
happen  in  carrying  them  home  loaded,  as  many  of  the 
guns  had  been  discharged  after  retaking  Blanchard,  to 
avoid  such  an  event.  Some  time  after  we  had  done 
shooting  at  the  mark  I  heard  some  one  hallooing  up 
the  road  towards  IVIr.  Rea's.  I  went  to  the  corner  of 
Mr.  Parmelee's  store,  and  saw  two  or  three  wagons 
coming  down  the  road  very  fast,  filled  with  men.  I 
supposed  they  had  got  John  H.  Tyler,  as  I  heard  them 
say  "We  have  got  him."  I  might  have  shouted  "Hur- 
rah for  Jackson,"  as  Mr.  Rea  states  in  his  deposition. 
I  think  I  did,  but  I  am  confident  I  did  not  add,  as  he 
states  in  his  deposition,  "Here  is  old  Rea — we  have  got 
the  d — d  old  rascal,"  as  I  did  not  distinguish  any  person 
suflSciently  to  recognise  them  till  the  wagon  in  which 
Mr.  Rea  was  passed  me.  It  was  well  nigh  nightfall  at 
the  time,  and  had  it  been  never  so  light  I  could  not  dis- 
tinguish him  from  others  in  the  wagon  at  the  distance 
they  were  off  at  the  time  above  mentioned,  as  I  am  very 
near-sighted. 

When  I  found  that  Mr.  Rea  was  captured,  instead  of 
Tyler,  I  went  towards  the  stables  for  my  horse,  and  a 
number  of  persons  followed  after  me,  but  who  they  were 
I  cannot  positively  state,  and  said  something  must  be 
done  with  Rea,  and  requested  that  I  should  make  out 
some  precept,  or  advise  to  some  course  that  would  hold 
him  to  answer  for  his  conduct  in  regard  to  the  Indian 
Stream  diflBculty.  I  told  them  all  that  I  could  not  do 
anything  of  the  kind,  although  in  my  judgment  Mr. 


244  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

Rea  had  acted  more  like  a  judicial  monster  than  like 
one  of  His  Majesty's  justices  and  conservators  of  the 
peace  in  all  his  doings,  so  far  as  respected  the  arrest  and 
examination  of  one  Luther  Parker,  Esq.,  for  an  alleged 
offence  mentioned  in  said  deposition  of  said  Rea,  and 
also  in  respect  to  the  arrest  of  said  Richard  I.  Blanchard, 
and  advised  them  to  dress  his  wounds,  wash  him  up,  and 
send  him  home.  I  told  them  they  had  no  right  to  take 
him  anywhere,  even  in  New  Hampshire,  much  less  to 
seize  him  in  Canada  and  transport  him  over  the  line. 
It  was  admitted  by  all  the  bystanders  that  the  capture 
of  Rea  might  be  illegal,  but  they  assigned,  as  a  reason  for 
so  doing,  that,  in  attempting  to  take  Tyler,  Rea  and  his 
party  resisted,  and  pelted  them  with  stones,  and  in  self 
defence  they  took  Rea  as  a  kind  of  prisoner.  I  came 
away  from  Mr.  Parmelee's  directly  after,  and  did  not 
see  Mr.  Rea  that  night.  I  did  not  hear  anyone  say  or 
intimate,  nor  did  it  enter  my  mind,  that  this  party  that 
went  over  the  line  and  took  Rea  were  going  or  had  gone 
to  take  him,  but  I  did  hear  it  said  again  and  again  that 
they  were  going  to  take  John  H.  Tyler,  for  whom  a  re- 
ward had  been  offered  by  said  Smith  as  above  men- 
tioned. 

Hiram  A.  Fletcher. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  3,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Archelaus  Cummings^  Jr. 

I,  Archelaus  Cummings,  Jr.,  of  Canaan  in  the  county 
of  Essex  and  state  of  Vermont,  depose  and  say  that 
some  time  in  October  last  past  I  went  from  the  house 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC  245 

of  my  father,  where  I  reside,  in  Canaan  to  the  store 
of  Parmelee  &  Joy  in  said  Canaan,  the  distance  of 
about  3-4ths  of  a  mile,  having  understood  that  a 
party,  principally  from  New  Hampshire,  had  been  into 
Canada  and  rescued  one  Richard  I.  Blanchard,  who 
had  been  taken  from  Indian  Stream  by  some  Canadian 
people.  After  I  arrived  at  said  store  I  found  that  said 
Blanchard  had  been  rescued,  as  I  had  previously 
heard.  After  I  had  been  at  said  store  some  time  I 
heard  a  proposition  made  by  someone  to  go  over  the 
Canadp  line  and  retake  one  John  H.  Tyler,  who,  it  was 
said,  had  been  arrested  by  one  William  Smith,  a  deputy 
sheriff  of  the  county  of  Coos  in  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  who  was  said  to  hpve  been  advertised 
by  said  Smith. 

I  offered  no  reward  for  the  apprehension  of  Alexander 
Rea,  nor  did  I  hear  any  other  person  offer  any  reward 
for  the  apprehension  of  said  Rea,  nor  of  any  other  per- 
son except  said  John  H.  Tyler,  nor  was  the  name  of 
any  other  person  mentioned  by  anyone  as  the  object 
of  pursuit  in  crossing  the  line  into  Canada,  except 
said  John  H.  Tyler.  I  saw  Capt.  James  Mooney,  one 
of  the  party  who  started  after  Tyler,  and  he  told  me  at 
the  time  that  John  H.  Tyler  was  the  person  whom  they 
were  going  after,  and  that  some  Esquire,  whose  name 
I  do  not  recollect,  had  advised  them  that  they  had  a 
right  so  to  do. 

I  further  depose  and  say  that  I  have  for  about  a 
year  been  acquainted  with  the  reputation  of  Alexander 
James  McKinnon  of  this  town,  and  he  is  generally 
called  a  man  whose  word  is  not  at  all  to  be  relied  on. 
His  reputation  for  truth  is  not  good. 

After  the  pacty  started  from  the  store  of  said  Par- 
melee &  Joy  for  Canada  I  saw  said  Capt.  James 
Mooney  hand   someone  a   paper,  which  I  understood 


246  THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC 

at  the  time  was  said  Smith's  advertisement  for  said 
John  H.  Tyler. 

Arch.  Cummings,  Jr. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.   August  4,  1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Joseph  Wiswell 

I,  Joseph  Wiswell  of  Clarksville  in  the  county  of 
Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and  say 
that  I  have  been  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  this  county 
about  six  years,  and  have  lived  in  this  town  twenty 
years,  and  have  been  well  acquainted  with  Indian 
Stream  and  its  inhabitants  for  most  of  the  time,  and 
never  knew  or  heard  of  any  other  government  than 
the  state  of  New  Hampshire  exercising  or  claiming  to 
exercise  any  jurisdiction  there  till  the  interference 
of  one  Alexander  Rea  in  June,  1834,  who  then  claimed 
that  the  territory  belonged  to  the  province  of  Lower 
Canada.  Some  time  in  the  month  of  October  last 
Clark  J.  Haynes  of  Indian  Stream  came  to  my  house 
in  Clarksville,  and  informed  me  that  a  mob  had  been 
over  from  Canada,  and  had  taken  one  Richard  I. 
Blanchard,  one  of  our  citizens,  and  were  then  carrying 
him  to  Canada,  and  he  wished  the  neighborhood  to 
turn  out  and  rescue  him.  Soon  after,  the  same  report 
and  request  was  made  by  Luther  Parker.  I  accord- 
ingly started  for  Indian  Stream,  with  the  intention  of 
rescuing  said  Blanchard,  and  just  as  I  arrived  at  the 
house  of  Ebenezer  Fletcher  in  Indian  Stream,  I  over- 
took Miles  Hurlburt,  John  Harriman,  and  several 
others.  We  left  said  Fletcher's  together,  and  just  as 
we  arrived  at  the  house  of  John  Parker,  situate  on 


THE    INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC  247 

the  easterly  side  of  Hall's  Stream,  we  concluded  that 
the  party  who  had  Blanchard  in  possession  would  pass 
Hall's  Stream  before  we  could  overtake  them,  and, 
as  we  did  not  wish  to  go  into  Canada  armed,  it  was 
concluded  to  send  back  the  arms.  Accordingly  I  took 
the  arms  to  carry  back,  accompanied  by  two  or  three 
others,  and  on  our  way  back  I  saw  Emor  Applebee, 
who,  I  understood,  was  one  of  those  who  had  been 
concerned  in  the  abduction  of  said  Blanchard,  and  he 
was  requested  to  surrender  himself,  which  he  refused 
to  do,  and,  being  armed  with  a  musket,  he  stated  that 
he  should  not  be  taken  alive,  we  had  better  not  come 
any  nearer.  We,  that  is  to  say  those  that  started  from 
John  Parker's  with  the  arms,  proceeded  to  Canaan 
Corner,  Vermont,  and,  when  we  arrived  there,  found 
that  the  party  who  had  gone  in  pursuit  of  those  who 
had  Blanchard  had  returned  to  Canaan,  having  rescued 
said  Blanchard,  and  brought  him  back  with  them.  I 
was  there  when  the  party  started  after  Tyler  from  the 
store  of  Parmelee  &  Joy,  and  I  did  not  hear  Rea's  name 
mentioned  at  all  in  connection  with  their  expedition  to 
Canada.  After  this  party  had  gone  to  Canada  after 
said  Tyler,  I  went  up  to  the  house  of  Judge  Cummings 
in  said  Canaan,  situated  between  the  house  of  said 
Alexander  Rea,  in  Hereford,  and  the  store  of  Parmelee  & 
Joy,  and  a  few  minutes  afterwards  my  son,  Joseph  P. 
Wiswell,  came  up  there  also,  where  we  remained  and 
took  supper,  and  were  there  when  the  party  having 
said  Rea  in  custody  returned  to  Canaan,  Vermont,  so 
that  I  am  enabled  to  state  positivel}'^  that  neither 
my  said  son,  Joseph  P.  Wiswell,  nor  myself  had  any 
part  in  the  taking  of  said  Rea,  or  conveying  him  to 
Canaan,  Vermont.  The  inhabitants  of  Indian  Stream, 
whenever  they  have  destroyed  any  wild  animals  for 
which  a  bounty  is  given  by  the  laws  of  the  state  of 


248  THE    INDIAN    STREAM    REPUBLIC 

New  Hampshire,  have,  so  far  as  my  knowledge  ex- 
tends, uniformly  applied  for  said  bounty  here,  and  ob- 
tained it.  I  have  frequently  joined  the  inhabitants 
in  marriage,  and  never  knew  them  to  resort  to  Canada 
for  the  purpose  of  being  married,  or  anyone  deriving 
his  authority  from  the  church  or  civil  authority  of  Can- 
ada to  solemnize  marriages  among  them. 

Joseph  Wiswell. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  Coos,  ss.  August  9, 1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin 

I,  Ephraim  H.  Mahurin  of  Columbia  in  the  county 
of  Coos  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose  and 
say  that  about  the  22d  of  October  last,  being  at  Cole- 
brook,  an  express  arrived  from  the  Indian  Stream 
Settlement,  so  called,  giving  information  that  a  party 
from  Hereford,  L.  C,  had  taken  Mr.  Blanchard,  a 
deputy  sheriff  of  this  county,  and  were  conveying  him 
to  Sherbrooke.  I  started  with  several  others,  and  went 
for  the  purpose  of  retaking  him,  and  on  Hereford  hill, 
so  called,  we  met  some  twelve  or  more  persons  leading 
said  Blanchard  towards  Mr.  Rea's  house  in  Hereford, 
and  on  meeting  them  one  of  our  company,  I  think., 
commanded  them  to  stop,  and  used  some  decisive 
language,  which  was  promptly  disapproved  by  Mr. 
Hilliard  and  myself,  and  we  informed  the  party  who 
had  Blanchard  in  custody  that  we  wished  to  have  no 
difficulty  with  them,  that  it  evidently  arose  from  the 
circumstance  that  the  boundary  line  was  not  fully 
settled  between  the  two  governments,  and  that,  as  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire  had  for  a  long  time  claimed 


THE    INDIAN    STREAM   REPUBLIC  249 

and  exercised  jurisdiction  over  that  tract,  and  the 
claims  of  actual  jurisdiction  by  the  province  being 
very  recent,  and,  as  we  believed,  originating  with  the 
aforesaid  Rea,  we  felt  it  to  be  our  duty  to  retake 
Blanchard,  and  to  protect  the  officers  of  said  settlement 
from  arrest  by  officers  from  the  province,  and  that  we 
should  take  liim  at  all  hazards,  but  wished  to  do  it  with- 
out any  trouble  or  hard  words  with  them.  I  then 
dismounted,  and  told  Blanchard  to  get  on  my  horse;  and, 
he  at  first  appearing  to  hesitate,  I  repeated  the  direc- 
tion, when  he  stepped  towards  the  horse,  with  a  man 
hold  of  each  arm,  but  when  he  got  to  the  horse  they 
let  go,  and  he  mounted  and  rode  to  Canaan,  Vt.  Con- 
siderable abusive  language  was  used  towards  us  by  two 
persons  of  the  party,  Mr.  Blood  and  Mr.  Beecher,  but 
we  told  them  they  might  say  what  they  thought  fit,  as 
we  should  not  be  led  into  a  quarrel  with  them,  but 
should  let  King  William  and  Gen.  Jackson  decide  the 
matter,  and  we  then  left  them,  and  after  a  stop  of  about 
fifteen  minutes  at  Parmelee's  store  I  went  directly  home 
to  Columbia,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  from  Hereford; 
and  I  never  heard  of  the  affair  at  Mr.  Rea's  until  a  day 
or  two  after. 

I  acted  under  no  orders  from  any  one  in  the  part  I 
acted,  and  no  one  that  I  know  of  claimed  any  authority 
over  another. 

I  have  known  of  no  "  occasional  acts  of  jurisdiction  " 
exercised  by  the  provincial  government  until  the  arrest 
of  Luther  Parker,  and,  from  the  best  information  I 
have,  these  "acts"  owe  their  origin  and  support  to  a 
few  outlaws  at  Indian  Stream,  encouraged  by  said 
Rea. 

I  have  always  understood  that  said  tract  was  claimed 
by  this  state,  by  a  survey  made  by  Jeremiah  Eames,  Jr., 
Esq.,  more  than  forty  years  since,  and  more  than  thirty 


250  THE   INDIAN   STREAM   REPUBLIC 

years  ago  process  from  the  courts  of  this  state  was  served 
on  Richard  Smart,  who  resided  on  said  tract,  and  his 
property  attached. 

Ephraim  H.  Mahurin. 

Coos,  ss.  August  9th,  1836.  Personally  appearing 
Ephraim  H.  Mahurin,  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the 
foregoing  deposition,  by  him  subscribed,  is  true.  Before 
me, 

Ira  Young,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Deposition  of  Benjamin  Applebee 

I,  Benjamin  Applebee  of  Indian  Stream  in  the 
county  of  Coos  and  state  of  New  Hampshire,  depose 
and  say  that  I  have  lived  at  this  place  seventeen 
years.  I  am  a  son  of  Emor  Applebee,  now  in  jail  at 
Lancaster,  and  was  arrested  last  winter  by  Col.  John 
H.  White,  and  was  carried  to  Lancaster  and  detained 
at  Lancaster  six  months  and  three  days  for  resisting 
a  deputy  sheriff  of  Coos  county  in  the  service  of  proc- 
ess. I  further  depose  and  say  I  never  should  have 
thought  of  resisting  the  officers  of  New  Hampshire 
had  I  not  been  advised  so  to  do,  and  assured  I  should 
be  protected  in  so  doing  by  the  government  of  Canada, 
by  Alexander  Rea  of  Hereford,  Lower  Canada. 

Benjamin  Applebee. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,    Coos,  ss.    August  11, 
1836. 
Sworn  to  before  me, 

John  P.  Hale,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


INDEX 


NAMES  OF  PERSONS  AND  PLACES 

Abbott,  Elisha 26 

James 79,  81 

Albany,  N.  Y 6 

Aldrich,  Edgar 19,  20 

Ephraim  C 26,  38,   100,   104-106 

180,    181,   186,   213,   226,   227,   229-232,   238 

Ammonoosuc  River,  Great 11,  20 

Androscoggin  River 169,  188-191,  194,  196 

Applebee,  Benjamin 88,  186,  250 

Emor 25,  68,  98,  103,  108,  186,  221,  247,  250 

Levi 88 

Babcock,  137,  143-146 

Back  Lake 26, 193 

Back  Lake  Brook    21,  29,  45,  46,  97 

Badger,  William ,  102, 109,  174, 175,  178, 185, 188 

Bagley,  Mary 133 

Baker, 126 

Baldwin, 7 

Bancroft,  Anna 5 

Bankhead,  Charles 109,  178,  179 

Barnes,  Daniel 17,  34 

Peter 26,  63,  68,  75 

Barnett,  David 13,  18,  33 

Barstow,. Samuel  H 118-120 

William  A 121,  122 

Bartholomew,  . " '. 144,  145 

Bartlett,  N.  H 12,  21 

Batchelder,  Herman   48,  55,  56,  68,  70-74 

Simeon 5 

Bath,  N.  H 219 

Bean,  Nathaniel 16,  23 

Nathaniel,  Jr 16,  23 

Sinclair 16,  23 


254  INDEX 

Bedel,  Moody 11,  12,  18,  20,  23,  25,  27,  30,  31,  33 

Timothy 23,  31 

Bedel's  Grant 8,  31,  32,  48 

Bedel's  and  Associates'  Grant 8,  32 

Bedel's  and  Others'  Grant 8,  18,  30,  32-34 

Beecher, 249 

Marcus 91 

Nathan 13 

Bell,  John. 188 

Bennett,  Abel 33 

Bethlehem,  N.  H 27,  43 

Bigelow,  Doctor 136-139,  147 

Blanchard,  Richard  1 25,  68,  75,  76,  80,  89-91 

103-107,  171-174,  180,  184,  187 
208,  212,  220,  222-229,  231,  233-249 

Blodgett,  Thomas  B 105,  183,  187,  228,  233 

Blood, 249 

Burleigh 26,  48,  49,  68,  69,  75,  79,  80,  89-91 

Seth 25,27,45 

Blott,  Mary 131 

Booth, 133 

Boston,  Mass 3 

Bovial,  James 157 

Bowe,  Augusta 132,  133,  137, 150,  151 

Bowen,  Ira  C 27,  68 

Boynton,  J.  T .* 25,  26 

Bradford,  Vt '.  .  .  17,  25 

Braintree,  Mass 7 

Brattleborough,  Vt 41 

Brigham,  Thomas 16,  23 

Brockway,  Rufus  25-27,  79,  81,  198,  199,  202,  215,  216 

Brookfield,  Wis 121,  161 

Browne,  Elizabeth 4 

Brunswick,  Vt 6,  7,  112 

Buckminster,  William 103,  220 


INDEX  '■2o5 

Buffalo,  N.Y 113 

Bunnell,  George  W 27,  68 

Burrill, 94,223 

Burritt, 144,  147 

Button,  Jedidiah ^'^ 

Camp,  Rev. 132,  133 

Campbell,  R.  A 151 

Canaan,  Vt 10,  14,  21,  28,  105,  107,  173,  181,  198 

208,  213,  222-225,  227-229,  231,  233 
235-239,  241,  242,  244,  245,  247,  249 

Canright,  Charles  S 152 

Carleton,  Dudley 13,  18,  33 

JohnB 18 

Carlisle, 198-200,  205 

Carlisle  Grant,  N.  H HI 

Carr,  Enoch 25,  27,  68,  75,  80 

Jesse 205,206 

C^stleman,  A.  L 121 

Champlain,  Lake •"  •  •  •    113 

Charlestown,  N.  H 10,  13,  23 

Chipman,  Judge 198 

Clark, 133,  137,  139-143,  146-148,  155 

John 146 

Juha 138 

Clarksville,  N.  H 99,  100,  104,  108,  110,  112 

185,  207,  211,  241,  242,  246 

Clifton  River 191 

Clough,  Zaccheus.  .  .  .26,  37,  68,  104,  213,  224,  225,  227 

Coates,  Goodrich 79,  81 

Cobb, 149 

Ellen  Parker 161 

Emma 137 

Euchd  Nathan 158 

Nathan 135-138,  158 


256  INDEX 

Cobb,  William 134-138 

Virgil 145 

Cogswell,  John 34 

Colbiirn,  Augusta  H 134,  143,  153,  157 

Cole, 144 

Betsey 147 

Clara 145 

Colebrook,  N.  H.  .  .  6,  17,  24,  94,  99,  100,  102-105,  185 

193, 196,  202,  203,  205,  215,  217-219 

223,  226,  233,  237,  239-242,  248 

Colebrook  Academy  Grant,  N.  H Ill 

Columbia,  N.  H 17,  190,  248,  249 

Compton,  Canada 183 

Comstock,  John 23 

Concord,  N.  H. 100 

Concord  (Lisbon),  N.  H 13,  22 

Connecticut  Lake 8-11,  26,  27,  40,  42,  57,  190 

193,  194,  197,  198,  200,  203 

Connecticut  River  .  .  6,  8,  11,  14,  17,  20,  24,  25,  27,  28 

32,  46,  52,  57,  94,  98,  114,  168,  169,  171,  185,  189 

190,  192,  194,  198,  200,  201,  204,  205,  218,  220 

Conway,  N.  H 12,  21 

Cook,  Britton 26 

Coon,  Benjamin 68 

Cram, 143,  144,  203,  204 

J 193 

Crockett, 133 

Cummings,  Alanson 26,  68,  79,  80,  88-92,  103,  221 

Archelaus 25,  26,  38 

Archelaus,  Jr 244,  246 

Judge 247 

Currier,  Anna 13,  22 

Anna  W 23 

Phoebe 13,  22,  23 

Sargent 88 


INDEX  257 

Cutler,  Theophiliis 204 

Cutts,  Thomas 12,  18,  33 

Danforth,  Samuel 25,  80,  81,  210 

Samuel,  2d 27 

Simon 49,  75,  79-81 

Danville,  Vt 103,  220 

Davis,  Justice  B 27,  51 

Moses 34 

Davis  Village,  N.  H 127 

Dead  Water 32 

Detroit,  Mich 113 

Dewey,  139,  146 

Dodge,  Henry 118 

Samuel 4 

Dorchester,  Mass 7 

Doyle, 134 

Drayton,  Canada 180-183 

Drought,  150,  152 

Henry 151 

Drown,  Samuel 68,  92,  209 

Eames,  Emma 5 

Jeremiah    10,  17,  52,  188,  189,  191 

194,  198,  199,  201-204,  249 

Thomas 20,  207 

Eastman,  Jonathan 34 

Eaton,  David 25,  26,  68,  75 

Edgerton,  E.  W 122 

Ellarson,  139,  141,  144,  147 

ElHott, 133,  147 

Ellsworth,  Doctor 150 

Juha 137,  138,  145 

Elmore,  Andrew  E 121,  123,  125 

Emery,  Enoch 12,  21,  33 

Enos,  Elihu 126,  132,  133 


258  INDEX 

Farruington,  Me 86 

Fessenden,  William 68 

Fields, 114 

Finch,  Nancy ;    151 

Finley, 132 

John 123 

First  Connecticut  Lake 40 

Flanders, 212,  213 

Zebulon 25,  45,  104,  212,  224,  225,  227 

Fletcher,  Benjamin 27,  45 

Ebenezer 13,  23,  27,  34,  45,  46,  63,  68,  94,  104 

108,  186,  204,  206,  207,  218,  226,  246 

Hiram  A 227,  239,  240,  244 

Kimball  B.  . 80,  99 

Noah 25 

Fletcher's  Mills 96,  97,  99,  104,  108 

Fond  du  Lac,  Wis 152 

Forsyth,  John 95, 176-179' 

Foster,  Sarah 5 

Fowler,  Caroline 136,  137 

Franconia,  N.  H 27 

Franklin,  Wis. 115 

French,  Alletta, 6,  7,  41,  42 

Alvin  G 7,  112,  113 

Eunice .    113 

John 7 

Jonathan 26,  49,  68 

Mattie 7 

Nathaniel 68 

Thomas  Giles 6,  7,  113,  114 

Fryeburg,  Me 204 

Fuller,  Luther 10,  94,  202,  203,  205 

Margaret 135 

Gage,  Royal  16,  23,  25,  30 

Gage  Brook 25,  33 


INDEX  259 

Genesee.  Wis 118,  121.  132 

George,  Jeremy 25,  48,  68,  75 

Getchell,  Ebenezer 26,  68 

Silas     26 

Gibbs,  David 11,  12,  14,  18,  20-22,  24,  31,  33 

Goffe, 138 

Goodman,  Susan  G 128 

Goodwin,  Elizabeth 5 

Gosford,  Earl 103,  109,  165,  167.  168 

171,  178,  179,  183,  214 

Gove, 13S 

Grant,  Sanford 131 

Graves, 147 

Great  Ammonoosue  River 1 1 ,  20 

Greeley,  Matthew 31 

Green,' 138,  152 

George    135,  154 

Gmldha]l,Vt 217 

Guile.  E 158 

Hale, 117,  141,  151 

Hiram 135 

John  P 109,  125,  175,  188,  193,  199,  202 

205-210,  212,  2i3,  215,  217,  218,  220,  222 
225,  231,  232,  235,  236,  238,  244,  246,  248,  250 

L 138 

Hall's  River 168 

Hall's  Stream  .  .8-10,  52-54,  57,  67,  96,  99,  105,  111,  171 
185,  189,  191-193, 198,  200-204,  207,  212,  241,  247 

Hammond, 138 

Harnden,  John 5 

Harriman,  John 104,  210,  212,  213,  226,  227,  246 

Harris,  Daniel 26 

Hartland,  Wis 127,  139,  144,  149,  152, 154 

Hartwell,  Jonathan 26,  38,  49,  68,  76,  80 

Rufus 6a 


260  INDEX 

Harvey,  John  Milton 94,  102,  103,  105,  171,  172 

180,  2£1,  223,  224,  228,  233,  241 

Haverhill,  N.  H 10,11 

Hawkins,  131,  139,  154 

Hay,  John 151 

Hayne,  Captain 184,  187 

Haynes,  Anna 7 

Clark  J 24,  27,  45,  48,  49,  68,  69,  102, 104 

208,  215,  226,  236,  237,  240,  246 

Daniel 23 

Experience 7 

John 14,  16,  17,  23-27,  31-34,  36, 

45,  48,  49,  68,  69,  75-78,  81-86 

John  Langdon 25,  26,  68 

Moody    94,  219 

Ross  C. 49,  68,75 

Timothy  N 68,  75 

Heath,  Daniel 34 

Edmund 49 

James 16,  17,  24,  25,  33 

Hemingway,  Stephen  F 23 

Hereford,  Lower  Canada  .  .  .16,  17,  21,  24,  40,  54,  67,  96 

103,  105, 180,  181, 183, 184,  186,  200 

206,  21].,  212,  227,  233,  240,  247-250 

Hibbard, 146 

Higgins,  Samuel 26 

Winslow 17 

Hill,  136,  151 

David 14 

Isaac   176,  177 

Thomas   .' 16,  23 

Hilliard,  James  Minor  ....  105,  187,  190,  194-197,  228 

233,  235,  242,  248 

John  M 105 

Hoit,  Colonel 194,  203,  204 


INDEX  261 

HoUister, 132,  133 

Holt,  Abiel 25-27,  38,  40,  42,  45 

Homan,  John 22 

Howard, 155 

Huggins,  Samuel 79-81 

Hughes,  John 198,  199 

Hunkins, 121 

Hurlburt,  Miles  ....  104,  106,  107,  180,  181,  187,  213 

226,  231,  232,  234,  235,  246 

Hutchins,  x^lpheus 26 

Sylvester 26 

Hyland,  Abner  ....  17,  24,  25,  32,  33,  48,  68,  79,  218 

Deborah 209 

WilHam 24 

Indian  Grant 8 

Indian  Stream 7-14,  16-19 

21-30,  35-38,  40-46,  48,  50,  51,  53-55,  57 
58,  60-64,  66,  68,  69,  71-73,  76,  77,  81-86 
88-91,  93-97,  99-105,  107-112,  115,  117,  128 
163,  165,  167,  169,  176,  177,  184-193,  195,  197 
199,  200,  203,  205-210,  213,  214,  218-220,  224 
226,  229,  231-233,  235-243,  245-247,  249,  250 
Indian  Stream  Settlement  .  .  8,  108,  174,  180,  183,  185 

186,  199,  211,  223,  233,  248 

Indian  Stream  Territory 8,  10,  25,  27,  45,  48 

55,  58,  60,  65,  94,  168,  184,  188,  194,  202,  204 
205,  209,  211,  212,  215,  217,  218,  223,  236,  238 

Indian  Village 8,9 

Ives,  135,  148,  150,  151,  153 

Robert 136,  138,  139,  152 

Jennings, 156 

Doctor 155,  158 

Isaac 155 

Wallace 155,  157,  158 


262  INDEX 

Jewett,  James  M 239-241 

Johnson,  139,  140,  142-144,  148,  152 

David 79,80 

Esther 133 

Salhe 141,  143 

Jones,  Joseph .     23 

Judd,  Aaron 68 

Nathan.  .  13,  23,  24,  49,  55,  56,  68-70,  72-76,  81-86 

Kendall,  Hannah 4 

Kenosha,  Wis 112 

Kent,  David 209 

Kimball,  Benjamin 23 

Frederick 23 

J.  H 118 

Jonathan 23 

Kirkendall, 154 

Knight,  Jonathan  C.  L 99,  104,  186,  221 

Ladd,  Betsey  G 16,  24,  34 

James 14,  16,  17,  21-25,  31,  33 

Mary  L 17,  34 

Lake  District 25,  35,  37,  40 

Lake  Settlement 27,  28,  42-44 

Lake  Town,  Wis 138 

Lamb,  Josiah 68 

Lancaster,  N.  H 104,  108,  177,  216,  222,  250 

Law, 136, 153,  157 

Leach's  Stream 201 

Lennoxville,  Canada 109 

Lexington,  Mass 4,  5,  7 

Liberty,  N.  H 8,  14,  16,  17,  22,  24,  25,  32 

Lindsey,  Isaac 92 

Lisbon,  N.  H 11,  13,  22-24 

Lisbon,  Wis 118,  120 

Little  Muskego  Lake 114 


iXDEX  263 

London,  England 3 

Loomis,  General 107 

Horace 94,  215,  216 

Low,  Joseph 96,  97,  102,  107,  109 

110,  175,  188,  190,  193,  196 

Lyford,  Sylvester 19 

Lyman,  Noah 17 

Lynn,  Mass , 3,  4 

Lynn  Village  (Wakefield),  Mass 3 

McCleary, 135 

McConnel],  John 68,  80,  215 

McDuffee,  John 18 

McKenzie,  1 187 

McKinnon,  Alexander  James   236,  245 

McKowan,  Edward 137 

John 147 

McShane,  Mike 134 

Madison,  Wis 132,  161 

Magalloway  River 169,  190-192,  194-197 

Magone, 120 

Mahurin,  Ephraim  H.  .  .  105,  183,  187,  188,  190,  193 
196,  223,  227,  228,  233-235,  241,  248,  250 

Maidstone,  Vt 7 

Martin,  141,  144-146,  154 

Leonard 122 

Stillman 68 

Mendon,  Mass 7 

Metcalf,  Ralph   109,  175 

Mills, 140,  142,  145 

Milwaukee,  Wis 113,  115,  118,  122,  123,  131,  134 

136,  137,  139,  141,  150,  151,  153,  155-157 

Miner, : 125 

Mitchell,  David   25,  36,  48,  55,  56,  68-86 

John  A 36,  48-50,  55,  68,  70-86 


264  INDEX 

Mooney,  James 103,  107,  108,  110,  182,  184 

186,  187,  222,  236,  238,  245 

Moore, 214 

Morous,  ^ 141-145,  147,  149,  157 

Morrison,  William 31,  33 

Muckey,  132,  146 

Muckwanago,  Wis 118,  132,  144 

Muskego,  Wis 3,  113-117,  119,  123 

125-128,  136,  143,  144,  148,  161 
Myers,  Mary 135 

New  Ipswich,  N.  H 6,  115,  127 

Newbury,  Vt 13,  17,  25 

Nichols,  Hepzibah 5 

Herman 181 

Polly 6 

Nicholson,  John  B 152,  153,  156 

Oak  Creek,  Wis 127,  156 

Osborne,  Lydia    16,  17,  24 

Samuel 14,  16,  17,  21-23,  27,  31,  45,  46,  68 

Pachal, 134 

Parker,  Abigail   4,  5 

Alletta  (French)  43,  44,  98,  104 

108,  112,  113,  126,  128 

Amanda  Melvina 107,  114,  115 

Amy 4 

Asa 5,  6,  44,  45,  97,  104,  105,  108,  113 

114,  123,  125,  135-137,  147,  156,  158,  233 

Baxter 134-136 

Benjamin 5 

Caleb 41,  46 

Charles  Durham 7,  43,  97,  116,  117,  126,  127 

131,  132,  136-139,  144,  147,  149-155,  160,  161 


INDEX  265 

Parker,  David 4 

Ebenezer 6 

Edwin 6,  43 

Elislia 5 

Elizabeth 5 

Ellen  Augusta 44,  114,  117,  126,  128,  131 

Hananiah   4,  5 

Hannah 4 

Hepzibah 5 

John  ...  4,  5,  7,  26,  40,  41,  226,  229,  232,  246,  247 

Jonathan 4 

Joseph   4,  5 

Joshua  .' 3,  5,  6,  25,  27,  40-44 

Joshua,  Jr 40-44 

Kendall 4 

Levi 5 

Lillie 5 

Lincoln  H 7 

Loa 5 

Lucinda 6 

Lucy 5 

Luther 3-7,  26,  40-46,  48,  49,  55,  56 

68-74,  80,  97-100,  103-105,  107,  110 
112-116,  118-121,  123-126,  128,  131 
184-186,  207,  233,  234,  244,  246,  249 

Lydia 5 

Martha 4 

]Mary 4 

Mary  S 128 

Nathan 41 

Nathaniel    4,  41 

Persis  Euseba  ....    43,  114,  117,  126,  128,  131,  134 
136-138,  141,  143,  144,  147,  148,  150-157 

Phoebe  5 

Polly  Taylor 3 


266  INDEX 

Parker,  Rebecca 4,5 

Sarah 4,  5 

Simeon 5 

Stephen 41 

Stephen,  Jr 41 

Sumner 161 

Theodore    4,  7 

Thomas 3-5,  7,  41 

Wilham 5 

Parmelee,  Josiah 235,  236,  243,  244,  249 

Parmelee  &  Joy  .  .  105-107,  172,  208,  213,  222,  224,  225 
228,  230,  231,  233,  234,  237,  245,  247 

Parsons,  Hezekiah * 217,  218 

John 26 

Peck,  132,  154 

H 134 

Henry 153 

W.  D 139 

Perkins,  Nathaniel 13,  14,  23,  24,  31-35 

68,  69,  75-78,  81-86,  213,  215 

Nathaniel,  Jr 75 

Perry,  John  H 68 

Nathan  J. .  .  .  , 68 

Perry  Stream 98,  108,  192 

Philip  (Indian)    11,  12,  20,  35,  53,  185,  188 

Piermont,  N.  H 16 

Pike  River,  Wis 112 

Piper,  Thomas 105,  233 

Pittsburg,  N.  H 8, 19,  29,  46,  111 

Pleasant  Prairie,  Wis 112-114 

Pleasant  Valley,  Wis 117 

Plumley,  Abigail 23 

Alexander 16,  22 

Eunice 23 

John   16,  22,  24 


INDEX  267 

Polly,  Bethia 4 

Pomroy,  Benjamin 187 

Post, 131,  134,  154 

Michael 145,  148 

William 133 

Prairieville,  Wis 118,  120,  121,  124 

Pratt,  A.  F 121,  123 

Samuel 6 

Prescott,  Josiah 86 

Price, 133 

Prospect,  Lower  Canada 22 

Prouty,  227,  228 

Punchard,  John 23 

Putnam,  Doctor 147 

Quimby,  Richard 23,  26 

William   13,  14,  23,  24,  31,  33 

Racine,  Wis 120,  138,  141 

Randall,  Alexander  W 121,  122 

Rea,  Alexander.  .54,96,  103-107,  180,  181,  183,  184,  186 
187,  205-215,  222,  224,  225,  227-232,  235-250 

Redding,  Mass 7 

Redding  (Wakefield),  Mass 3-6 

Reed,  Curtis 118,  122 

Remington, 132 

Reymert, 146,  147 

Reynolds, 134,  141,  146,  147 

Sarah 148 

Richardson,  William  M 95 

River  Falls,  Wis 117 

Robie,  John 68 

John,  Jr 75 

Rockwell,  John  S 122 

Roe, 151 


268  INDEX 

Rogers,  Daniel 17,  25,  68 

Deborah    92 

Josiah 25 

Root, 132 

Rowe,  John * 12,  13,  22-24,  31,  32 

Rowell,  David  S 27,  79-81 

Enos   26,  79,  81 

Sampson 26,  49,  68 

Russell,  Obed 153 

St.  Francis,  Canada 180,  184,  214 

St.  Francis  River 189,  192,  197-199,  204 

St.  Johnsbury,  Vt '...'. 16,  23,  25 

St.  Lawrence  River 52,  168,  194,  196,  197,  212 

Saltonstall,  Sir  Richard 3 

Sanborn,  Peter    6 

Sawyer,  Elijah  C 46,  48,  49,  68 

Reuben, 26,  36,  48,  49,  68,  75,  79,  102 

Saylesville,  Wis 144 

Second  Connecticut  Lake 190,  194,  198,  201,  202 

Selleck,  132-134,   139 

Sexton, ......  131,  134,  135,  137,  138,  144,  150 

Ben  ... 138 

Harriet 156 

Jared 138,  152,  156 

Mary   135,  138,  151,  152 

Mrs.  T 136 

WiUiam 157 

Sherbrooke,  Canada 99,  186,  233,  239,  240,  248 

Shields,  138 

H. 136 

Short,  Edward 187 

Showerman,  Ellen  Parker 161 

Hiram 161 

Shrewsbury,  Mass 41 


INDEX  269 

Sibley,  South  wood 25,  27 

Skinner,  Edwin 136 

Smart,  21,  203 

Richard    250 

Smith, 135,  137,  141,  142,  144,  150,  157 

Damon 26 

David 25,  88,  204,  227 

F 136 

Jesse 122 

Nathan  L 17 

Sarah 146 

WilHam  K 16,  34 

WilhamM.  .  .  102-104,  106,  171-173,  180,  208,  220 
222-224,  229,  232,  234,  235,  237,  239,  242,  245 

Snow,  Nathaniel 27,  37,  68 

South  Redding  (Wakefield),  Mass 3 

Southampton,  Mass 17 

Southworth, 138 

Ann 135 

Angelina  Flora 117 

Caroline 135 

Spencer,  Benjamin 17 

Hobart 11-13,  21 

Joseph 13 

Sprague, 133 

Steele, 137,  140,  141,  143,  144,  146,  147 

Thomas 118 

Sterling,  John  W 126 

Stewartstown,  N.  H 16,  17,  24,  28,  52,  100 

103,  104,  107,  110,  180,  185,  187,  198 
209-212,  220,  233,  236,  238,  241,  242 

Stoneham,  Mass 6,  115 

Straits  (The) 32 

Stratfoid,  N.  H 6,  7,  17,  41,  42,  115 

Strong,  M,  M 120 


270  INDEX 

Stukeley,  Lower  Canada 41 

Sucker  Brook 26 

Sullivan,  Hannah 131,  139 

Summit,  Wis 118,  124 

Tabor,  Elisha  P. 25,  75,  79-86 

Jeremiah 17,  25,  27,  35,  68,  75 

79,  80,  89-91,  103,  214 

Paul 25 

Thomas 17,  25 

Taylor,  Anson  H 114 

Mary  E 144 

Mrs.  Thomas 158 

Polly 6 

Temple,  Jonathan 5 

Temple,  N.  H 3,  6,  25,  26,  40,  42,  43,  112,  115 

Tess  Corners,  Wis 113,  116,  117,  126 

Tew, 161 

Thayer,  Levi 27,  45 

Zebedee 27,  43,  44 

Third  Connecticut  Lake    194,  196,  198 

Thomas,  W.  H 118,  120 

Three  Rivers,  Lower  Canada 25 

Thurston, 98 

MeHssa 219,  220 

Moses 25,  80,  81 

Sampson 68 

Tillotson,  John  M 18,  31,  33,  34 

Tirrell,  Ehsha  A 106,  229,  230 

Gideon 107,  111,  207,  208,  242 

Topsham,  Vt 13 

Treadway,  James 12-14,  33 

Troy,  N.  Y 113 

True, 138 

Turk,  Doctor 198-202,  205 


INDEX 


271 


Turner, 1^1 

Abraham 14 

James ^4 

Tuttle,  Horatio 105,  228,  233,  234,  241 

Tyler, 104,  221 

Amos   26,  27,  91 

David 14,  16,  17,  22-27,  30,  32,  68 

Jesse 17,  23,  24 

John  H 27,  68, 103-106, 171-174,  180,  208 

220-224,  229,  232,  234-237,  239,  242-247 
Nathaniel 17 

Vallier, 131,  132,  138,  156 

Van  Deren, 152,  154,  157 

Van  Vlick,  H 118 

Vanderwalker, 141,  150 

Maria 141,  146,  150 

Veeder, 153 

Vernon,  Wis 137,  138,  149 

Wakefield,  Mass 3,  4 

Wales,  Nathaniel 11-14,  18,  20,  21,  23,  31,  205 

Wales's  Location,  N.  H 11,  18 

Warner,  Dan 155 

Washburn,  Oliver 104,  226,  227 

Waterford,  Vt 13,  14,  16,  17,  23,  26 

Waterford,  Wis 135,  139 

Watson,  James  Y 121,  122 

Watts,  Joseph 79,  81 

Waukesha,  Wis..  .118,  125,  126,  133,  141,  144,  148,  161 

Webster, 149,  153 

Weeks,  Samuel,  Jr 105,  228,  233 

Weir, 144 

Welch, 157 

Weston,  Joseph 200 


272  INDEX 

Whitcomb, 150 

Major 10,  202 

White,  John  H 94,  95,  103,  104,  109 

220-222,  238,  240,  250 

Russell 79,  81 

William 79,  81,  89-91 

Whitehall,  N.  Y 113 

Wicks, 144 

Willard,  EKzabeth ^ 41 

Levi 203,  205,  206 

Phineas 27,  40,  41,  49,  51,  55,  56,  68-80 

Samuel 41 

Willson,  Francis 217 

Wise,  W.  H 141 

William 156 

Wiswall,  Joseph 104,  111,  226,  242,  246,  248 

Joseph  P 105,  107,  187,  226-228,  234,  235,  247 

Wright,  Simeon 25,  49,  68,  75 

Wells 68 

Young,  Bernard 105-107, 181,  184,  187 

213,  227,  230,  232 

Ira .  107,  190,  193,  196,  197,  203 

216,  218,  220,  224,  237,  240  250 


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